Roanoke 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.5% | 57.0% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 14.2% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,929 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 429 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2375 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.4% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 60.8°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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