Pittsburgh 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 63.7% | 57.0% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 14.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $58,407 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $37,533 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,929 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 33.3% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2375 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 60.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 41.0 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pittsburgh, PALos Angeles, CA vs Pittsburgh, PAChicago, IL vs Pittsburgh, PAHouston, TX vs Pittsburgh, PAPhoenix, AZ vs Pittsburgh, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Pittsburgh, PA