Tampa FL 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 11.9% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 21.3% | 14.2% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.5% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 19.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $58,407 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $37,533 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,929 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 18.6% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 33.3% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 429 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2375 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 37.5% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.8% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.3% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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