CostIndexUSA

Oklahoma City, OK vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOK
Oklahoma City
90.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Oklahoma City is significantly cheaper than Santa Barbara — 20.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Oklahoma City, you would need $96,300 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+104.9%
Oklahoma City
73.9
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Oklahoma City
93.8
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.1%
Oklahoma City
100.2
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.1%
Oklahoma City
90.7
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+102.2%
Oklahoma City
74.1
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$96,300
$16,300 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.2035. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Oklahoma City, OK

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

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 104.9% higher housing costs compared to Oklahoma City.

Income & Job Market

Oklahoma City, OK

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

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

77% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.