San Diego CA 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 412,322 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 11.9% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 5.7% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 3.5% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 19.2% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $58,407 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $37,533 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 18.6% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 33.3% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 37.5% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.8% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.8% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.4% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 41.0 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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