Garland 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)

Garland, TX

Texas · Population: 245,298

  • Median HH Income$74,717
  • Median Home Price$289,605
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+25.0%

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
Garland
245,298
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Tulsa
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Tulsa
52.0%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Tulsa
2375

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Tulsa
16.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +

Which City is Right for You?

Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Garland & Tulsa