Tulsa OK vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Waco
9.8%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 141,925 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 9.8% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 54.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 14.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.0% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $51,468 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $28,819 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 24.0% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 28.6% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 48.9% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 20.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.2% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 66.6°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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