Tulsa OK vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 57.0% | 39.1% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 14.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 11.6% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $580,173 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 41.1% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 24.0% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | 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
Tulsa +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 32.8 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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