Surprise 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 75.0% | 57.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $58,407 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $37,533 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 18.6% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 52.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2375 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 37.5% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.8% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.8% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.3% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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