Cost of Living in Tahlequah, OK

An Overview of Cost of Living in Tahlequah, OK

Knowing the cost of living in Tahlequah allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Tahlequah stands at 86, marking it 14% lower than the national average.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Tahlequah, these goods are 10.9% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Tahlequah?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 6 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Tahlequah. The feedback revealed that 33% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 67% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Tahlequah Affordable?

Wondering if Tahlequah is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Tahlequah, for example, the median home price is 23.7% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 28% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Tahlequah boasting a median household income of $37,500, which is 32.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Tahlequah?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Tahlequah, the transportation index is 13.4% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Tahlequah, the general sales tax rate starts at 4.5%, and income tax rates begin at 0.25%.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Tahlequah, the groceries index registers 5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Tahlequah cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.