El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 412,322 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 3.6% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 19.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $58,407 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.6% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 41.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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