Palmdale CA 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 11.9% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 57.0% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 19.2% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $58,407 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $37,533 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 33.3% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 52.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 37.5% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.3% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 41.0 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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