Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.5 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 85.2% | 57.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,929 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.4% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 60.8°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 20.2 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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