Tulsa OK vs Tuscaloosa AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 107,699 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 4.7% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 49.6% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 14.2% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.6% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 5.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $48,536 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $31,324 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $51,690 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.0% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 23.8% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $231,461 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 45.1% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 42.6% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 65.0°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 55.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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