Tulsa OK vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 118,578 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 5.7% | Tulsa + |
| White | 57.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 14.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.3% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 8.9% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $265,013 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 46.8% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 42.7% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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