Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 412,322 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 11.7% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 76.8% | 14.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,929 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $220,279 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2375 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 41.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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