Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.6% | 57.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 14.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 429 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2375 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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