City Report · OK

Tahlequah

Pop. 16,935·34th most expensive in Oklahoma·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,108/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-8.9%
vs US Median
-$854
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Tahlequah · $1,108
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,108/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$44,000/yr
Local median income
$49,581/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Tahlequah's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$740
1 BR
$740
2 BR
$930
3 BR
$1,190
4 BR+
$1,230
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$930/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,108 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,296/yr
At $1,108/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -8.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Tahlequah, OK is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 34.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,935
Median income
$49,581
Median age
29.3
Renters
59.8%
Age distribution
20%
35.8%
21.1%
15.9%
Under 1820%
18–3435.8%
35–5421.1%
55–647.1%
65+15.9%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
46.3%
40.5%
White46.3%
Black2.4%
Hispanic9.8%
Asian0.9%
Other40.5%
Education (25+)
25.3%
29.3%
34.4%
No HS diploma10.9%
HS diploma25.3%
Some college29.3%
Bachelor's+34.4%
Housing tenure
40.2%
59.8%
Owner40.2%
Renter59.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Tahlequah, OK has changed in 5 years

Income
$44,416 → $49,581
up 11.6%
Population
16,213 → 16,935
up 4.5%
Renter share
55.6% → 59.8%
+4.2 pts
Bachelor's+
34% → 34.4%
+0.4 pts
Median age
30.2 → 29.3
-0.9 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Tahlequah, OK now reports about $49,581, up from $44,416 in 2021. Census counts show Tahlequah, OK adding about 722 residents over the five-year window, up 4.5% on net. The renter share has risen from 55.6% to 59.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Tahlequah

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View Tahlequah rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Tahlequah on your salary?

At $1,108/mo, how Tahlequah rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Tahlequah rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Tahlequah. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Tahlequah

About renting in Tahlequah, OK

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Tahlequah is $1,108/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $740/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($49,581/yr), Tahlequah ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Tahlequah an affordable city for renters?

Tahlequah is considered affordable for renters. At $1,108/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($49,581/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Tahlequah falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Tahlequah?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,108/mo in Tahlequah. The local median household income is $49,581/yr, meaning the typical Tahlequah household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Tahlequah?

Rent in Tahlequah has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Tahlequah rent compare to other cities in Oklahoma?

Tahlequah is one of the more affordable cities in Oklahoma for rent, ranking #34 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,108/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tahlequah?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Tahlequah ($1,108/mo): Muskogee ($951/mo), Pryor ($1,040/mo).

What percentage of Tahlequah residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.8% of Tahlequah households are renters, while 40.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Tahlequah has a strong rental market.

How does Tahlequah rent compare to the national average?

Tahlequah's median rent of $1,108/mo is $854 (44%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Oklahoma, it ranks #34 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,108/mo, rent takes ~27% of Tahlequah's median household income ($49,581/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Tahlequah 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax0.25–4.75%
Run the Tahlequah affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Tahlequah
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Tahlequah, OK

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