Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 81.8% | 57.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 3.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $58,407 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $37,533 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 18.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 33.3% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 52.0% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2375 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 18.8% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 14.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.3% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 41.0 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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