Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.5 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 69.9% | 57.0% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 14.2% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $58,407 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $37,533 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 18.6% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 33.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 52.0% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 429 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2375 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 60.8°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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