Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 412,322 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.5 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 34.1% | 14.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.5% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $58,407 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $37,533 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 18.6% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 33.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.3% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 60.8°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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