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What does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary really buy you in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is 11.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Oklahoma's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.8, meaning prices are 11.2% lower the national average. A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earning $29,270 in Oklahoma has the equivalent purchasing power of $32,961 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Oklahoma's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $21,620 | $24,346 | +$2,726 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $24,960 | $28,108 | +$3,148 |
| Median (P50) | $29,270 | $32,961 | +$3,691 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $35,160 | $39,594 | +$4,434 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $38,670 | $43,547 | +$4,877 |
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Oklahoma earns $29,270 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $32,961 in an average-cost state. This makes Oklahoma one of the best value states for this occupation.
Oklahoma's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 11.2% less than the national average. For a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $29,270 for Oklahoma's cost of living yields $32,962 — a 12.6% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
Oklahoma ranks #48 of 51 — bottom quartile for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Oklahoma ranks #48 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria take-home pay in Oklahoma after taxes →
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Oklahoma earns a median salary of $29,270 per year. After adjusting for Oklahoma's cost of living (RPP=88.8), the real purchasing power is $32,961 — a +12.6% difference.
Oklahoma's cost of living is 11.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Oklahoma is 88.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Oklahoma: $29,270 x (100 / 88.8) = $32,961. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Oklahoma enjoys 12.6% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
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