Tucson 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Tulsa
412,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 412,322 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.5 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 11.9% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 57.0% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 19.2% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2375 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.3% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 41.0 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, 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 Tucson. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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