Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 49.4% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 38.7% | 14.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $37,533 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 33.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2375 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 60.8°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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