Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 412,322 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 25.0% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 62.9% | 14.2% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $220,279 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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