Tulsa OK vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 250,887 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.6 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 10.7% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 48.7% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 14.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.3% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 17.9% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $57,673 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $35,074 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $419,326 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.5% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 63.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 58.4 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 23.2 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 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tulsa, OKLos Angeles, CA vs Tulsa, OKChicago, IL vs Tulsa, OKHouston, TX vs Tulsa, OKPhoenix, AZ vs Tulsa, OKPhiladelphia, PA vs Tulsa, OK