Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.9% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 57.0% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $58,407 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,929 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.1% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 18.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $220,279 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 52.0% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 429 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2375 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 60.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 41.0 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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