Tulsa OK vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tulsa
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Tulsa
35.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Tulsa
11.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Tulsa
57.0%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Tulsa
3.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Tulsa
19.2%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Tulsa
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 205,501 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 57.0% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 14.2% | 12.1% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tulsa
$58,407
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tulsa
$57,929
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tulsa
33.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,407 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,533 | $35,825 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.8% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,279 | $435,532 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% | 42.4% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
429
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tulsa
2375
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
37.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
14.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tulsa
16.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.1% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
60.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.0 in | 48.1 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tulsa
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Tulsa, OK | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 27.3 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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