Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 412,322 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.8% | 57.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 14.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $58,407 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $37,533 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,929 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.3% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 60.8°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 41.0 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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