Tulsa, Oklahoma
Why invest in Tulsa?
Tulsa offers investors affordable real estate and steady economic growth in a revitalizing city. The cost of living and home prices in Tulsa are well below national averages. This makes rental yields attractive compared to Sunbelt metros. Tulsa’s economy has diversified beyond oil into aerospace, manufacturing and distribution. In recent years city leaders have also improved downtown amenities, fostering an emerging arts and entertainment district. All told, investors see Tulsa as a market with upside value and rising demand for both long-term and short-term rentals.
Tulsa:
An Overview
Overall cost of living in Tulsa is ~15% below the U.S. average, and Oklahoma has no state tax on groceries or income from certain retirement accounts, further reducing expenses.
Local Power, Global Reach: Tulsa’s Economic Edge
Long known as the “Oil Capital of the World,” Tulsa still hosts major energy companies (Williams, ONEOK) and related service firms. However, today Tulsa is also a national hub for aerospace and defense. It is home to American Airlines’ largest maintenance base (its global MRO facility) and to firms like Spirit AeroSystems, NORDAM and Lufthansa Technik. Manufacturing remains strong (HVAC maker AAON, Whirlpool, and a new solar-panel plant). Tulsa’s central location has drawn distribution centers (Macy’s, Amazon, UPS). The city also promotes a growing tech sector and business-friendly incentives.
Roots & Rhythm: The Local Beat of Tulsa
Tulsa has become an arts and culture destination in Oklahoma. The historic Brady Arts District boasts two major museums: the Philbrook Museum of Art (set in an Italianate villa with extensive gardens) and the Gilcrease Museum (renowned for American Western art and indigenous collections). The newly revitalized Greenwood District (historic Black Wall Street) features the Greenwood Rising history center. Music and entertainment venues like Cain’s Ballroom (birthplace of western swing) and the BOK Center arena host national acts and concerts.
Downtown Tulsa showcases Art Deco architecture (the centerpiece Boston Avenue Methodist Church is a noted example) in one of the nation’s best-preserved collections. The massive new Gathering Place park on the river is ranked among top urban parks in the U.S. for families and recreation. Outdoor activities abound: the Arkansas River’s trails and parks, and nearby small lakes, support cycling, running, and kayaking. Festivals such as Tulsa Tough (bicycle races) and Mayfest (arts fair) add annual highlights. Culinary enthusiasts enjoy Tulsa’s barbecue and the evolving craft brewery/distillery scene. All these amenities, combined with low prices, help Tulsa attract and retain young professionals and families.
