Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 412,322 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 69.7% | 57.0% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 19.2% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $58,407 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $37,533 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 18.6% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 52.0% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2375 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 37.5% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.8% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.3% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 41.0 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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