Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 43.2% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 42.0% | 14.2% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $58,407 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $37,533 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,929 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 33.3% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 429 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2375 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 37.5% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.8% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.4% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 60.8°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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