CostIndexUSA

Merced, CA vs Oklahoma City, OK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Merced
98.3
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableOK
Oklahoma City
90.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Oklahoma City is moderately cheaper than Merced — 8.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Merced, you would need $73,600 in Oklahoma City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing6.0%
Merced
78.6
Oklahoma City
73.9
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Merced
105.2
Oklahoma City
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Merced
105.3
Oklahoma City
100.2
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Merced
95.3
Oklahoma City
90.7
Utilities53.2%
Merced
158.3
Oklahoma City
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Merced to see what you'd need to earn in Oklahoma City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$73,600
$6,400 less needed in Oklahoma City

Formula: salary × (90.4 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9196. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Merced, CA

Median Home Price
$410,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Oklahoma City, OK

Median Home Price
$239,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
73.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Merced has 6.0% lower housing costs compared to Oklahoma City.

Income & Job Market

Merced, CA

Median Household Income
$57,600
Per Capita Income
$32,800
Unemployment Rate
9.2%
Population
86,333
Top Industries
AgricultureEducationHealthcareGovernmentLogistics

Oklahoma City, OK

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
681,054
Top Industries
EnergyGovernmentHealthcareAgricultureAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Merced, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Oklahoma City, OK
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.