Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 412,322 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 8.5% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 19.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $58,407 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $37,533 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 18.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.3% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 37.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.3% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 41.0 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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