Salem 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.9% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 57.0% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 19.2% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $58,407 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,929 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 18.6% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 52.0% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 429 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.4% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.3% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 60.8°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 41.0 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Salem, 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
Salem
24.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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