Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Flint
34.4%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 34.4% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 56.6% | 14.2% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,929 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $220,279 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 52.0% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2375 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.4% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 60.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 41.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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