Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 76.6% | 57.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $58,407 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,533 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 18.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 33.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $220,279 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 52.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 60.8°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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