Lancaster 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 21.4% | 14.2% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.5% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 19.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $58,407 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.6% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.0% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 37.5% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 41.0 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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