Tulsa OK vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 192,696 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 57.0% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 14.2% | 3.1% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 17.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 31.5% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $510,577 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 49.9% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3409 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 41.6 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.1 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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