Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 412,322 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.5 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 11.9% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 23.7% | 14.2% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 19.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $58,407 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $37,533 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 18.6% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 33.3% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.5% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.3% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 41.0 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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