San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 412,322 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.5 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 11.9% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 7.0% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 19.2% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $58,407 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.1% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 18.6% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 52.0% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 37.5% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.3% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 41.0 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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