Tulsa OK vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 71,124 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.0 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 8.3% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 32.4% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 14.2% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.6% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 11.8% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $55,269 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 23.2% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 33.1% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $327,117 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 46.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.0% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.0% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.5% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 49.3 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.0 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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