Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.9% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 57.0% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $58,407 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 52.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.8°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.0 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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