Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 27.7% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 63.0% | 14.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 33.3% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $220,279 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 52.0% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 429 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2375 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.4% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. 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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