Tulsa OK vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 102,558 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 7.2% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 14.2% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.7% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $31,987 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 25.0% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.9% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.8% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 63.4°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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