Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 57.0% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $58,407 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,929 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.6% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.0% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 429 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2375 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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