Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 25.6% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 67.1% | 14.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $220,279 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 429 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2375 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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