Oklahoma City OK vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 672,079 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 11.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $580,173 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 41.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 24.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | 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
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 32.8 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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