Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 39.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 46.7% | 14.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $220,279 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 429 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2375 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA