Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Providence
40.7%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 11.9% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 13.3% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.5% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 19.2% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $58,407 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $57,929 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 33.3% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 429 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2375 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.5% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.3% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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