Oklahoma City OK vs Phoenix AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oklahoma City
688,693
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 7.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 32.3% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $411,323 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 57.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.7 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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