Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 412,322 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 11.9% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 57.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.5% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $58,407 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $37,533 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,929 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.6% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 33.3% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 52.0% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 429 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 37.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.4% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.3% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 60.8°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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