Mesquite TX 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)
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
Mesquite
148,848
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.5 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 11.9% | Mesquite + |
| White | 37.8% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 24.7% | 14.2% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 19.2% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Mesquite +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Mesquite +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $58,407 | Mesquite + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Mesquite + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.1% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 18.6% | Mesquite + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $263,551 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 52.0% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Mesquite +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Mesquite + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
46.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Mesquite +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.8% | Mesquite + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesquite
35.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Mesquite, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesquite leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 442 in Mesquite. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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