Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 35.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.9% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 57.0% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.5% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $58,407 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $37,533 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,929 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.1% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 18.6% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 33.3% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 429 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2375 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 37.5% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 12.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 14.4% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 16.3% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
Compare More Cities
Cambridge, MA vs New York, NYCambridge, MA vs Los Angeles, CACambridge, MA vs Chicago, ILCambridge, MA vs Houston, TXCambridge, MA vs Phoenix, AZCambridge, MA vs Philadelphia, PA