Jacksonville, FL vs Tulsa, OK

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Tulsa, OK spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 13% higher in Jacksonville, FL. Home prices in Jacksonville, FL run 29% higher. Jacksonville, FL has the lower unemployment rate.

$66,981
Income in Jacksonville
$58,407
Income in Tulsa
$1,375
Rent in Jacksonville
$998
Rent in Tulsa

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Jacksonville, FL
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Median Household Income
$66,981
$58,407
13% lower
Median Home Value
$266,100
$189,600
29% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
$998
27% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,324
$1,027
22% less
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
6.1%
36% more
Population
961,739
412,322

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Jacksonville, FL, renters allocate roughly 24.6% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Tulsa, OK, the figure is 20.5% , making Tulsa, OK the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Jacksonville, FL, that ratio is 4.0x. Homes cost 4.0 times the median annual income. In Tulsa, OK, it's 3.2x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Tulsa, OK.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,324 in Jacksonville and $1,027 in Tulsa. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in Jacksonville, FL is $66,981; in Tulsa, OK it is $58,407. That's a $8,574 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 4.5% in Jacksonville and 6.1% in Tulsa. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.1% in Jacksonville versus 50.8% in Tulsa.

Population

Jacksonville, FL has a population of 961,739, making it the larger of the two cities. Tulsa, OK has 412,322 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov