Tempe 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 35.5 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 57.0% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 3.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 19.2% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $58,407 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $37,533 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.1% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 18.6% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 33.3% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2375 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 37.5% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.8% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.4% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.3% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 41.0 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tempe, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Tempe, AZChicago, IL vs Tempe, AZHouston, TX vs Tempe, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Tempe, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Tempe, AZ