True Cost of Renting in Tulsa

Tulsa is Oklahoma's second-largest city and its cultural capital — home to the Bob Dylan Center, Woody Guthrie Center, Philbrook Museum, and the celebrated Gathering Place park on the Arkansas River. Tulsa Remote, the city's initiative paying $10,000 to remote workers who relocate here, has attracted significant national attention and a new wave of educated young renters who are transforming neighborhoods like Cherry Street and the Brady Arts District.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Cherry Street / Midtown

Studio:
$750/mo
1 Bed:
$950/mo
2 Bed:
$1,400/mo

Tulsa's most popular renter neighborhood; E 15th Street corridor with independent restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. Mix of older bungalow apartments and newer infill. PSO (Public Service Oklahoma) electric. Free street parking throughout. Walkable to Cherry Street and accessible to the Gathering Place.

Brady Arts District / East Village

Studio:
$800/mo
1 Bed:
$1,000/mo
2 Bed:
$1,500/mo

Tulsa's arts and entertainment hub; Brady Theater, galleries, and bars on N Main Street. Loft conversions in former warehouse buildings; newer apartment buildings in the East Village. Walking distance to BOK Center arena. On-street parking generally available.

South Tulsa / Brookside

Studio:
$700/mo
1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Established residential neighborhoods along the Arkansas River; Brookside is a walkable strip on Peoria Ave with restaurants and shops. Mix of older apartment buildings and newer complexes. Quieter than Downtown/Cherry Street. Good Tulsa Public Schools access.

Utility Providers

Electric
PSO (Public Service Oklahoma / AEP)
Water
City of Tulsa Water and Sewer
Internet
Cox Communications, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber

Commute & Transportation

Tulsa is a freeway city — I-44 (the Will Rogers Turnpike) and I-244 (the inner loop) form the primary corridors. US-64/I-44 connects Tulsa to OKC (105 miles, 1.5 hours). Tulsa International Airport is 8 miles northeast of Downtown. The TULSA TRANSIT bus system covers major corridors. Major employers include ONEOK (natural gas midstream), Williams Companies, Saint Francis Health System, and the University of Tulsa. The Gathering Place and Riverside Drive create high-quality green space access for South Tulsa residents. Downtown Tulsa to Broken Arrow via BA Expressway (US-64) is 20–25 minutes.

Rental Market Overview

Tulsa is among the most affordable mid-sized cities in the US — genuine value for renters priced out of Nashville, Denver, or Austin. Tulsa Remote's incentive program has brought thousands of remote workers who tend to cluster in Cherry Street and Midtown, creating organic neighborhood revitalization. PSO (Public Service Oklahoma, an AEP company) rates are regulated and competitive. Summer cooling bills in a 1BR run $120–200/month. Google Fiber has expanded in Tulsa, providing high-speed internet competition. Tornado risk is real — tornado alley runs through Oklahoma, and renters insurance with a wind/hail rider is strongly recommended ($20–30/month for a 1BR).

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Tulsa

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Tulsa: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Tulsa?
One-bedroom apartments in Tulsa range from $900/month in South Tulsa / Brookside to $1,000/month in Brady Arts District / East Village. Two-bedroom units range from $1,300 to $1,500/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Tulsa?
In Tulsa, electricity is provided by PSO (Public Service Oklahoma / AEP), water by City of Tulsa Water and Sewer, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Tulsa?
South Tulsa / Brookside is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Tulsa, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $900/month. Established residential neighborhoods along the Arkansas River; Brookside is a walkable strip on Peoria Ave with restaurants and shops. Mix of older apartment buildings and newer complexes. Quieter than Downtown/Cherry Street. Good Tulsa Public Schools access. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Tulsa expensive to rent in?
Tulsa is among the most affordable mid-sized cities in the US — genuine value for renters priced out of Nashville, Denver, or Austin. Tulsa Remote's incentive program has brought thousands of remote workers who tend to cluster in Cherry Street and Midtown, creating organic neighborhood revitalization. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Tulsa — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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