Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 41.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 37.5% | 14.2% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 19.2% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,929 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2375 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 60.8°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 41.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 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, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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