Syracuse NY 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)
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
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
Syracuse
146,211
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.5 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.9% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 27.6% | 14.2% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 3.5% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,929 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $220,279 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2375 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.8% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.4% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 60.8°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 20.2 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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