Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 412,322 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 11.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 6.7% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.5% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 19.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $58,407 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.8% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.3% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 41.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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