Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 412,322 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 11.9% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 39.9% | 14.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $58,407 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $37,533 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,929 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 33.3% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 52.0% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2375 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 60.8°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX