St. Louis 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 45.7% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 43.1% | 14.2% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $37,533 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,929 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 33.3% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $220,279 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.5% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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