Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 57.0% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 3.5% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $58,407 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $37,533 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,929 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.6% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 33.3% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 52.0% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 429 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.5% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.8% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.4% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.3% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 60.8°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 41.0 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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