Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 412,322 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 39.9% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 46.9% | 14.2% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $58,407 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $37,533 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.6% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 33.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 429 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2375 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.4% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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