Fayetteville NC 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 38.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 42.3% | 14.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 18.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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