Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 68.4% | 57.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Tulsa
$57,929
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $58,407 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $37,533 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $57,929 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 18.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 33.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 52.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Tulsa
429
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Tulsa
2375
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 429 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2375 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 37.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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