Louisville 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 412,322 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 63.1% | 57.0% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 14.2% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $58,407 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $37,533 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 18.6% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 33.3% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 52.0% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 429 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2375 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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