Pasadena TX 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)

Pasadena, TX

Texas · Population: 125,983

  • Median HH Income$112,470
  • Median Home Price$218,978
  • Unemployment3.1%
  • Bachelor's+47.4%

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
Pasadena
125,983
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Tulsa
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
33.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
52.0%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Tulsa
2375

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Tulsa
16.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +

Which City is Right for You?

Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Pasadena & Tulsa