Oklahoma City OK vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 543,348 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.4% | 58.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 5.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $54,546 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $31,152 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 18.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 30.2% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $324,946 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 51.7% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.9 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, 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 Tucson. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Oklahoma City, OKLos Angeles, CA vs Oklahoma City, OKChicago, IL vs Oklahoma City, OKHouston, TX vs Oklahoma City, OKOklahoma City, OK vs Phoenix, AZOklahoma City, OK vs Philadelphia, PA