Quick answer
Oklahoma City costs $60/month less overall ($1,395 vs $1,455/mo). But Memphis's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,800/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Memphis vs Oklahoma City
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Memphis vs Oklahoma City at a Glance
| Metric | Memphis | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $980 | $1,150 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,220 | $1,150 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $195K ✓ | $210K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 ✓ | $155 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,455 | $1,395 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 ✓ | 31/100 |
| Transit Score | 28/100 ✓ | 22/100 |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 4.75% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Oklahoma City's 1BR averages $920/month vs $980 in Memphis — a $60/month difference, or $720/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Memphis charges None state income tax vs 4.75% in Oklahoma City. On an $80K salary that's a $3,800/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Memphis are $195K vs $210K in Oklahoma City. At a 20% down payment, that's a $3,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Oklahoma City utilities run $5 more per month than Memphis.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Memphis, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Memphis. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Oklahoma City, OK
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Oklahoma City. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Memphis
Hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional ice storms, high annual rainfall
Oklahoma City
Tornado Alley: hot summers, variable winters, extreme severe storm season in spring (April–May)
Job Market
Memphis top industries
Oklahoma City top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Memphis if…
- →You're a logistics / supply chain workers
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a musicians
- →You're a remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Oklahoma City if…
- →You're a energy sector workers
- →You're a aerospace / defense workers
- →You're a remote workers seeking maximum affordability
- →You're a families
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Oklahoma City cheaper to live in?
Oklahoma City is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,395 in Oklahoma City vs $1,455 in Memphis — a $60/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Memphis or Oklahoma City?
Memphis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 36/100 vs 31/100. Oklahoma City is more car-dependent.
Memphis vs Oklahoma City: which has lower state income tax?
Memphis has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,800/year vs Oklahoma City (4.75%).
Is Memphis or Oklahoma City better for buying a home?
Memphis has lower median home prices at $195K vs $210K in Oklahoma City — a $15,000 difference on the median home.