Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 412,322 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 35.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 36.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 38.6% | 14.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 19.2% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,929 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 429 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2375 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 60.8°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 41.0 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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