Tulsa OK vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 396,488 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.7 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 10.0% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 14.2% | 9.7% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 18.4% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $35,958 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 30.9% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 449 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Wichita
16.3%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 39.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.4% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.2 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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