Tulsa | Next Chapter

The Math

Enter what you pay now. See what it gets you here.

Your current monthly rent

$ /mo

New Construction

Modern apartment or new-build home

$1,450/mo

Saving $550/mo

$6,600/year you keep

Older / Established

Classic bungalow or renovated apartment

$920/mo

Saving $1,080/mo

$12,960/year you keep

Costs based on median rents for new-build and pre-1960 housing stock in recommended neighborhoods. Your actual costs depend on unit size, location, and whether you rent or buy.

Best for

Remote workers with no geographic ties. Tulsa Remote pays $10K to move here and connects you with 3,500+ people who did the same thing. Entrepreneurs and early-career professionals wanting access to the George Kaiser Family Foundation ecosystem. Families who want a $195K house with top suburban schools 15 minutes away.

Worth knowing

You're building a life from scratch. The Tulsa Remote community helps, but it takes effort. Summer heat is serious (100°F+ for weeks). State income tax is low (top rate 4.75%), and there's no local income tax in Tulsa, but property tax and sales tax make up for some of it. You'll need a car for everything. Some of the art deco and mid-century homes need updating. Renovation costs are lower here than most cities ($27K to $40K average) but still factor it into your budget.

Where to Live

Neighborhoods worth knowing

Tulsa is surprisingly varied. Art Deco downtown, established midtown bungalows, and suburbs with top-rated schools, all within 20 minutes. Here's who fits where.

Skip to yours.

Brookside · $310K · The Tulsa Remote family landing zone. Bungalows, porches, walkable Peoria Ave. You'll know your neighbors in a month.

Midtown / Cherry Street · $265K · Couples and young professionals. Restaurant row, nightlife, Philbrook in your backyard.

Maple Ridge · $380K · Established families. Historic homes around the $465M Gathering Place park. Higher price, higher quality of life.

Kendall-Whittier · $145K · Creatives and budget-first buyers. The most diverse neighborhood, incredible international food, still rough in spots.

Jenks · $280K · The school play. Top-rated district in Oklahoma. Suburban, but families plan their entire move around it.

Union / South Tulsa · $300K · Families wanting newer homes and strong schools. More space, less character, 20 min from everything.

Brookside City

Best for: Young families · Tulsa Remote participants · Walkable life

Details

This is where most Tulsa Remote families land, and for good reason. Peoria Avenue has a classic Main Street layout: restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques. The homes are 1920s–1950s bungalows and Tudors with big yards and front porches. Walking distance to playgrounds and the Gathering Place park. The neighborhood where you'll know your neighbors within a month. If you're moving with kids or planning to start a family, Brookside is the safe bet. Saturday morning: stroller walk to the Gathering Place, coffee at Topeca, running into three people you know on Peoria before noon.

$310KMedian home

7/10School rating

72Walk Score

Midtown / Cherry Street City

Best for: Couples · Young professionals · Social life + culture

Details

Cherry Street is Tulsa's restaurant and nightlife corridor: the place you go on date night. But the residential streets behind it are tree-lined and surprisingly quiet. Mix of apartments and bungalows. The Philbrook Museum is literally in your backyard. Central location puts you 10 minutes from everything. Best for couples or singles who want to walk to dinner and don't need the top school district. The social center of Tulsa. Friday night: cocktails at Valkyrie, dinner on Cherry Street, a walk through the Philbrook gardens before they close.

$265KMedian home

6/10School rating

68Walk Score

The Gathering Place / Maple Ridge City

Best for: Families who want space + park life · Established couples

Details

Maple Ridge surrounds the Gathering Place: Tulsa's $465M flagship park that rivals anything in cities 5x its size. Playgrounds, splash pads, trails, a boathouse. The neighborhood itself is historic homes with mature trees and manicured yards. Higher price point but the park alone changes your daily quality of life. Great for families with young kids who want outdoor space as their lifestyle, or couples who want a beautiful, quiet neighborhood with character. Sunday: the kids are at the Gathering Place splash pad, you're reading on a bench with a coffee, and nobody's in a rush.

$380KMedian home

7/10School rating

58Walk Score

Kendall-Whittier City

Best for: Creatives · Budget-conscious · Adventurous first-timers

Details

Tulsa's most diverse neighborhood. An incredible international food scene with Vietnamese, Mexican, and Burmese restaurants along East Admiral. The Kendall Whittier Main Street district has galleries, a vintage theater, and artist studios. Homes are the most affordable in central Tulsa. Best for creatives, first-time buyers on a budget, or anyone who values cultural richness over polish. Still rough in spots. Visit first. But on a good Saturday: pho on Admiral, browsing the vintage theater marquee, tacos from a cart you didn't know existed.

$145KMedian home

4/10School rating

62Walk Score

Jenks Suburb

Best for: School-age kids · Families who prioritize academics above all

Details

If schools are your non-negotiable, Jenks is the answer. Jenks Public Schools is consistently ranked among the best in Oklahoma. Families literally plan their entire move around it. The trade-off: it's suburban, 15 minutes south of downtown, and you'll need a car for everything. But the school system is the draw, the youth sports are excellent, and the Riverwalk adds some walkable retail. The family endgame for school-focused parents. Saturdays here: travel soccer at 9 AM, Riverwalk lunch, the kids play in the cul-de-sac until dark.

$280KMedian home

8/10School rating

35Walk Score

Union / South Tulsa Suburb

Best for: Families wanting schools + newer homes · More space

Details

Union Public Schools is the other top-tier district alongside Jenks, but with slightly more accessible home prices and newer construction. South Tulsa gives you more square footage for the money: 4BR homes with a 2-car garage in the $300Ks. Less character than midtown but the schools are strong, the neighborhoods are safe, and you're 20 minutes from everything. The practical family pick. Weeknights: homework at the kitchen island, a bike ride around the block, grilling in the backyard because you finally have one.

$300KMedian home

8/10School rating

28Walk Score

Where the kids go

Tulsa has a genuine split: Tulsa Public Schools is uneven, but the suburban districts (Jenks, Union, Bixby) are among the best in the state. Many families plan their neighborhood around the school district line.

Public

Jenks Public Schools

Consistently ranked #1 or #2 in Oklahoma. The high school is massive (2,000+ students) with exceptional STEM, arts, and athletics. The Trojan Aquarium is the largest living classroom in the state. Many families choose Tulsa specifically for this district.

Grades K–12 · 8/10 GreatSchools · Jenks

Public

Union Public Schools

Tulsa's other top district. Strong academics, excellent extracurriculars, diverse student body. Union Intermediate High has an award-winning engineering program. Generally more diverse than Jenks.

Grades K–12 · 7/10 GreatSchools · South Tulsa

Magnet

Booker T. Washington High School

Tulsa Public Schools' flagship. IB program, strong arts (the Hornet jazz band is legendary). Diverse, historic, consistently one of the top-performing schools in the TPS system.

Grades 9–12 · 7/10 GreatSchools · Midtown

Public

Bixby Public Schools

Fast-growing district south of Tulsa. Strong academics, newer facilities, excellent athletics. The town has a small-town feel with big-district resources. Good option if you want suburbs without the Jenks price premium.

Grades K–12 · 7/10 GreatSchools · Bixby

Charter

Tulsa Honor Academy

College-prep charter serving predominantly low-income students. Extended school day, strong results. Part of the growing charter network in Tulsa.

Grades 5–8 · 6/10 GreatSchools · North Tulsa

Private

Holland Hall / Cascia Hall

Tulsa has a strong private school network. Holland Hall (Episcopal, K–12, ~$18K–$25K/year) and Cascia Hall (Catholic, 6–12, ~$12K–$15K/year) are the top two. Both offer financial aid and have strong college placement records.

Grades K–12 · Various · Midtown / South Tulsa

See all 6 schools →

Key insight: Tulsa's school district boundaries matter more than the city vs. suburb distinction. You can live in the city of Tulsa but be in the Jenks or Union district depending on your exact address. Ask your realtor to map district lines.

Where to eat (the real list)

Tulsa's food scene has quietly become one of the most interesting in the South. A mix of chef-driven spots, deep Oklahoma comfort food, and a growing international scene.

Oren

Modern American · Tasting Menu

Chef-driven, seasonal, the kind of restaurant that puts Tulsa on the national food map. Small space, big ambition. The tasting menu is an event. James Beard-recognized.

Downtown

Burn Co. Barbeque

BBQ · Oklahoma-style

Oklahoma BBQ is its own thing. brisket, ribs, and burnt ends that compete with Texas and KC. Burn Co. is the best in Tulsa. The bologna sandwich is a sleeper hit. Cash only, line out the door.

East Tulsa

Laffa Medi-Eastern

Mediterranean · Israeli

Fresh laffa bread, shawarma, falafel. all made in-house. Multiple locations. The kind of fast-casual that's better than most sit-down restaurants. Locals eat here weekly.

Brookside / Downtown

Noche

Latin American · Cocktail Bar

Upscale Latin-inspired small plates in a moody, gorgeous space. Great cocktails, great date night. This is the restaurant you bring someone to when you want them to take Tulsa seriously.

East Village

The job scene

Tulsa's economy is energy, aerospace, and healthcare, but Tulsa Remote brought 3,500+ remote workers, and the GKFF network is building something genuinely new.

Energy (Traditional + Transition)

Williams Companies, ONEOK, Helmerich & Payne. Tulsa is still an energy town. But the sector is evolving: clean energy startups, carbon capture, and energy tech are growing. If you're in energy transition, Tulsa has the infrastructure and the talent.

Williams, ONEOK, H&P, WPX Energy

Aerospace & Defense

American Airlines has a massive maintenance base in Tulsa (the largest in the world). Spirit AeroSystems, NORDAM, L3Harris. aerospace is a $28B industry in Oklahoma. Blue-collar and engineering roles alike.

American Airlines, Spirit Aero, NORDAM, L3Harris

GKFF Ecosystem

George Kaiser Family Foundation doesn't just fund Tulsa Remote. They fund Build in Tulsa (Black entrepreneurship), Atlas School (low-cost tech education), Campus Tulsa (talent attraction), and the Gathering Place. It's a city-building network, not just a grant program.

Tulsa Remote, Build in Tulsa, Atlas School, Campus Tulsa

Remote-First (Tulsa Remote)

This is Tulsa's superpower. 3,500+ remote workers relocated with $10K+ grants, 3-year Gradient membership, and dedicated community staff. A 2025 Upjohn Institute study estimated more than $4 in local benefits for every $1 spent.

Gradient coworking hub, Tulsa Remote community

Where to start

Skip the national job boards. These are the local orgs, communities, and tools that actually help people find work here.

Tulsa Remote Community

3,500+ member Slack network, events, and career support included with the $10K relocation grant.

Experience Tulsa

Tulsa's official relocation guide. Job resources, neighborhood tours, and concierge support for newcomers.

Gradient (fka 36 Degrees North)

Tulsa's innovation hub. Coworking, startup support, and networking for entrepreneurs and remote workers.

WorkAdvance Tulsa

Free technical training and job placement with personalized career coaching. No cost to job seekers.

TulsaWorld Jobs

Local job board from Tulsa's newspaper. Best for non-tech roles across the metro.

Tulsa Tech

Oklahoma's largest career training provider. Six campuses, customized workforce programs.

Financial Programs

Every dollar you may qualify for

Tulsa Remote is the headline, but layer in state housing programs and a remote-working teacher from Austin could get $37K+ upfront.

Total potential: $15K–$35K+

Straightforward Most buyers qualify

Has Requirements Income caps or extra steps

Competitive Limited slots or strict criteria

Start here: If you're a remote worker, Tulsa Remote ($10K + community) is your anchor. Apply first. Layer OHFA Gold (3.5% grant) on top when you buy. Teachers, first responders, and state employees get additional rate discounts through OHFA specialty programs. If you're a founder of color, look at Build in Tulsa for startup support.

Homebuying & Moving Now

Relocation

Tulsa Remote (GKFF)

$10K+ cash grant for remote workers relocating for one year. Includes 3-year Gradient coworking membership, dedicated community staff, and programming. 3,500+ people have relocated through the program.

$10,000+

Cash Grant

Has Requirements

County

Tulsa County First Home (TCHFA)

Below-market rate (6.35% locked, ~0.25% under FHA) from $25M in bonds. 3.5% DPA as forgivable 2nd mortgage (0% interest, 5yr). First-come, first-served.

~$9,000

DPA + Rate Discount

Straightforward

State

OHFA Gold Program

3.5% of total loan as grant for first-time buyers. FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. OHFA-approved lender required. Recapture tax if sold within 9 years.

~$8–9K

Grant

Straightforward

State

OHFA Dream Program

3.5% of total loan for first-time AND repeat buyers with higher incomes (up to $150K). Same grant structure as Gold with broader eligibility.

~$8–9K

Grant

Straightforward

State

REI Oklahoma Gift 100

Rural Enterprises Inc. offers 3.5–5% of loan as a gift (no repayment) on FHA/VA/USDA, or 7yr forgivable on Fannie Mae HFA Preferred.

3.5–5% of loan

Grant / Forgivable

Has Requirements

State

OHFA 4Teachers / Shield / State Employee

Rate discounts + 3.5% DPA for teachers (4Teachers), firefighters/police/EMTs (Shield), and state employees.

Rate + 3.5% DPA

Rate Discount + Grant

Has Requirements

City / HUD

Housing Partners of Tulsa DPA

Through Housing Partners of Tulsa. 8-hour education course required. Income limits and price caps apply.

Up to $5,000

Assistance

Has Requirements

State

OHFA Mortgage Credit Certificate

Up to $2,000/yr federal tax credit on mortgage interest for the life of the loan. Cannot combine with OHFA mortgage (use with other lenders).

$2,000/yr

Tax Credit (ongoing)

Straightforward

Long-Term Family & Career Benefits

Career

Build in Tulsa (GKFF)

Black entrepreneurship program. Funding, mentorship, and community for founders of color building in Tulsa.

Varies

Startup Support

Competitive

Education

Atlas School (GKFF)

Full-time tech education program in Tulsa. $5,005 tuition for a 20-month program, with financing and outside-aid options. Strong option if you're career-switching into tech as part of your move.

$5,005

Tech Education

Straightforward

Career

Campus Tulsa (GKFF)

Recent grad talent attraction program. Connects new grads to jobs and community in Tulsa.

Career +

Talent Program

Straightforward

Lifestyle

Experience Tulsa (GKFF)

The retention layer: "Best of Tulsa" guides, events calendar, neighborhood content, community programming. Part of the infrastructure that keeps people here long-term.

Community

Lifestyle

Straightforward

Tax

Oklahoma. No Tax on Social Security

Oklahoma doesn't tax Social Security benefits and has relatively low overall tax burden. No local income tax in Tulsa.

Ongoing

Tax Savings

Straightforward

Tulsa Remote is the anchor, but it's not the whole stack. Layer in TCHFA + OHFA + REI Oklahoma and a remote-working teacher moving from Austin could get $37K+ upfront plus ongoing tax savings.

Tulsa, OK

Pick a weekend. We'll handle the rest.