Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 70.5% | 57.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 14.2% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $58,407 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $37,533 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 18.6% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 33.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $220,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 52.0% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.4% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.3% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.0 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.2 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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