Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 412,322 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 22.9% | 14.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $58,407 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,533 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 33.3% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.3% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. 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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