Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 412,322 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 29.0% | 14.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $58,407 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,929 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 18.6% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2375 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 41.0 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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