Tulsa, OK Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Tulsa, OK: What You Need to Know

Not many people know that Tulsa and outdoor recreation go hand in hand. The city in northeast Oklahoma has 135 parks with about 6,000 acres combined, including Gathering Place, one of the largest public parks in the country. 

A Rich Local History

Tulsa got its name from Tulsey Town, a Creek settlement in Alabama. The arrival of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway in 1882 helped establish the city, which was incorporated in 1898. Tulsa’s economy grew rapidly with the discovery of oil in the nearby communities of Red Fork in 1901 and Glenpool in 1905. Major oil companies had facilities in Tulsa, dubbed “Oil Capital of the World.”

The Cost of Living in Tulsa

Tulsa is a midsize city (population: 408,723 residents) that offers all the amenities and then some without breaking the bank. The city’s cost of living, food, and housing costs are 10.8%, 3.4%, and 20.5% lower than the national average, respectively. Tulsa’s median gross rent is $810. Oklahoma’s state income tax rate ranges from 0.5% to 5%. The state collects a 4.5% to 11.5% sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown Tulsa offers high-rise apartments and lofts plus access to Tulsa Performing Arts Center and other cultural venues. You’ll find condos and charming old houses in Cherry Street District, near downtown. If you prefer the slower pace of the suburbs, Owasso and Skiatook are within commuting distance to Tulsa. Both communities have good schools and a significant percentage of renters.

Getting Around in Tulsa

Private cars are the primary mode of transportation in the city. As an alternative, Tulsa Transit services 199 square miles of the city and nearby Jenks, Sand Springs, and Broken Arrow. Tulsa Transit has fixed route and paratransit bus services. The city is trying to develop a bike culture through This Machine, a bike-sharing program. The program’s first phase includes 160 bikes and 25 stations downtown, Gathering Place, and along Route 66. The Tulsa International Airport is only nine miles from downtown.

Tulsa’s Weather and Climate

Tulsa and the rest of Oklahoma are vulnerable to tornadoes. The state is part of Tornado Alley, which also includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas. On Aug. 6, 2017, three tornadoes hit Tulsa and Oologah, 30 miles away, injuring 25 people and damaging businesses and homes. Also, in 2019, Tulsa County was struck by eight tornadoes, breaking the record of six tornadoes in one season in 1960.