Cost of Living: Chicago vs Oklahoma City (2026)

Chicago vs Oklahoma City cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Oklahoma City is about 13% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $87,271 in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is about 13% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $87,271 in Oklahoma City.

Chicago vs Oklahoma City: the numbers

MetricChicagoOklahoma CityDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10490-13%
Median rent$1,380$1,083-22%
Median home value$315,200$215,100-32%
Median household income$75,134$66,702-11%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $87,271 in Oklahoma City. Going the other way, $100,000 in Oklahoma City is like $114,586 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Oklahoma City.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Oklahoma City

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 90 — a 13% difference. Your money goes further in Oklahoma City.

About $87,271 — that's what you'd need in Oklahoma City to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.