Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 412,322 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 55.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 3.3% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 19.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $58,407 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $37,533 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 33.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 52.0% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 60.8°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 41.0 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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