Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 11.9% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 57.0% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.5% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $58,407 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $37,533 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,929 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 18.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 33.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 429 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 37.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 14.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 16.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 60.8°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 41.0 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bend, OR vs New York, NYBend, OR vs Los Angeles, CABend, OR vs Chicago, ILBend, OR vs Houston, TXBend, OR vs Phoenix, AZBend, OR vs Philadelphia, PA