Akron OH vs Tulsa OK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Akron
56.1%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 56.1% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 29.4% | 14.2% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $220,279 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2375 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.4% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.8°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 41.0 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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