Cagliari vs. Oklahoma City: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

This report provides a detailed comparison of the cost of living and quality of life between Cagliari, Italy, and Oklahoma City, USA, based on available data. Cagliari presents a significantly lower cost of living overall, with a cost of living index of 59.3 (where 100 represents US average expenses) compared to Oklahoma City's index of 71.84. This translates to substantially lower expenses for groceries, household items, dining out, and transportation in Cagliari. While Oklahoma City offers higher salaries, the daily cost burden is considerably less in Cagliari.

The cost advantage of Cagliari is evident in specific categories. Groceries and household essentials are notably cheaper; for instance, a kilogram of apples costs €1.90 in Cagliari versus $4.78 in Oklahoma City. Public transportation is more affordable, with a one-way ticket costing €1.00 compared to $3.00 in Oklahoma City. Fuel costs are also lower. Childcare, however, shows a closer comparison, with private preschool monthly fees at €1,587.50 in Cagliari versus $1,587.50 in Oklahoma City, though the quality or availability may differ.

Housing represents a significant difference. While Cagliari's property price-to-income ratio is 10.46 (meaning it takes over ten years of average income to buy a property), Oklahoma City's ratio is much lower at 2.81. However, the absolute cost of an 85m² apartment is similar: €316,000 in Cagliari versus $300,000 in Oklahoma City. Crucially, the average monthly net salary in Oklahoma City ($3,717.84) is substantially higher than in Cagliari (€2,662.50, or approximately $3,000 USD when adjusted for exchange rate differences). This higher income in Oklahoma City partially offsets the higher cost of living and housing costs.

Quality of life metrics paint a different picture. Cagliari's primary quality index is 59.3, while Oklahoma City's is 71.84. However, specific factors like commute time (32.12 vs. 16.00 minutes average) and pollution levels (29.74 vs. 32.00 on a scale where lower is better) suggest Oklahoma City might offer slightly shorter commutes and cleaner air. Cagliari has lower indices for healthcare (63.74 vs. 77.61) and climate (77.61 vs. 59.3), indicating potentially less favorable healthcare access and climate perception compared to the US city, though interpretations of these indices can vary.

Economically, Oklahoma City demonstrates higher GDP per capita ($74,600) compared to Cagliari's €31,600 (approximately $34,000 USD). The population growth rate is also higher in Oklahoma City (0.67%) than in Cagliari (0.00%). The choice between these two locations depends on priorities. Cagliari offers significantly lower daily living costs (food, transport) but a lower salary and potentially less favorable healthcare and climate. Oklahoma City provides a higher income, faster-growing economy, and slightly shorter commutes but comes with a substantially higher overall cost of living, particularly for housing and certain goods.