The Tax Brief real effective rates for 111+ countries — bi-weekly, free.
HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Oklahoma VS COUNTRY B Texas

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Oklahoma and Texas in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
The Red River border decision for energy workers. Oklahoma has a 4.5% top income tax rate (4 brackets, 2026), while Texas charges 0% (constitutionally prohibited). At $100,000: Oklahoma ~$4,000 vs Texas $0. The catch: Oklahoma's property taxes (0.87%) are roughly half of Texas's (1.6%). For renters …
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.
🌾
COUNTRY A
Oklahoma
TAX RATE
4.5%
Progressive Tax
4 brackets up to 4.5%
⭐
COUNTRY B
Texas
TAX RATE
0%
No Income Tax
Constitutionally prohibited
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Texas → Oklahoma at $100,000
$4,000
That's $333/month back in your pocket
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
🌾 OK TAX
⭐ TX TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$1,750
$0
TX saves $1,750
$17,500
$75,000
$2,875
$0
TX saves $2,875
$28,750
$100,000
$4,000
$0
TX saves $4,000
$40,000
$150,000
$6,250
$0
TX saves $6,250
$62,500
$200,000
$8,500
$0
TX saves $8,500
$85,000
$250,000
$10,750
$0
TX saves $10,750
$107,500
💡

CountryTaxCalc.com is reader-supported. When you use our partner links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This helps us provide free tax calculators and comparison tools. Learn more about our affiliate partnerships

Talk to a Real CPA

Taxhub

★ 4.8 verified reviews  ·  3,758 reviews

Moving from Oklahoma to Texas? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.

⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.

Get Matched With a CPA →

Interested in reaching this audience? Advertise on CountryTaxCalc →

🌾

Oklahoma Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower property taxes (0.87% vs TX 1.6%)
  • Lower cost of living than Texas major metros
  • Energy industry presence (OKC, Tulsa oil/gas)
  • More affordable housing: OKC median ~$220K
− CONS
  • 4.5% top income tax rate
  • Smaller job market than Texas metros
  • Tornado Alley risk (severe weather)
  • Less economic diversity than Texas
⭐

Texas Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • 0% state income tax (constitutionally prohibited)
  • Diverse economy: energy, tech, healthcare, finance
  • Large job markets: Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio
  • Better career growth opportunities
− CONS
  • Property taxes 1.6% (nearly double Oklahoma)
  • Higher cost of living in major metros
  • Extreme summer heat
  • Traffic in Houston/Dallas notorious
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I save moving from Oklahoma to Texas?

At $100,000 income: save ~$4,000/year in income tax. However, Texas property taxes are nearly double (1.6% vs 0.87%). On a $300K home: TX = $4,800/year, OK = $2,610/year—a $2,190 difference. Net savings at $100K with $300K home: ~$1,810/year. High earners save more; homeowners with modest incomes see smaller gains.

Is Dallas-Fort Worth better than Oklahoma City for careers?

DFW has far more opportunities. It's the 4th-largest metro in the US with major corporate HQs (AT&T, American Airlines, Toyota, Charles Schwab) and diverse industries. OKC is energy-focused with fewer Fortune 500 companies. If career growth is priority, DFW wins. If low cost of living matters more, OKC offers excellent value—median home $220K vs DFW $400K+.

What about the property tax difference?

Oklahoma's 0.87% property tax is a significant advantage over Texas's 1.6%. On a $400K home: OK = $3,480/year, TX = $6,400/year—$2,920 difference. This partially offsets income tax savings, especially for homeowners with moderate incomes. Renters see pure income tax gains; homeowners need to calculate total tax burden.

Should energy workers stay in Oklahoma or move to Texas?

Depends on your role. Houston is the global energy capital with every major company HQ or major office—best for corporate, engineering, and finance roles. OKC and Tulsa have strong energy presence but smaller scale. For field operations, both states have positions. For career advancement in energy, Houston offers the most opportunities. For lower living costs, Oklahoma wins.

Is Tulsa worth considering vs Dallas?

Tulsa is a sleeper choice. Google and other tech companies have opened offices there. Cost of living is ~40% less than Dallas. Remote workers keeping Dallas salaries while living in Tulsa see great value—but you pay Oklahoma's 4.5% tax. For in-person work, Dallas has 10x the job market. Tulsa is ideal for remote workers who want lowest total costs without giving up urban amenities.
From the brief
PT38.4%−9.6 vs. headline
CY17.8%incl. 60-day rule
AE 0.0%substance required
The Tax Brief · Subscribe free

More like this, every two weeks.

Verified rates, real after-tax figures, plain English. Free.

Bi-weekly. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.