Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Pop. 681,088
VS
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Pop. 411,938

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

74
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
77
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
Tulsa wins 2–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Tulsa wins 0–2 overall (77/100)
💰 Tulsa is more affordable
💼 Tulsa has lower unemployment
🛡️ Tulsa has fewer disasters

📋 Oklahoma City vs Tulsa — The Verdict

Tulsa scores 77.2/100 compared to Oklahoma City's 74.5/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Tulsa has a clear edge with home prices 11% lower. For safety-conscious movers, Tulsa has a notably lower disaster history with 14 fewer declarations in 20 years.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Tulsa are 11% lower — a difference of $22,500 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Tulsa saves you $54/month — that's $648 per year.
💵
Households in Oklahoma City earn $7,603 more per year (13% higher median income).
🛡️
Tulsa has experienced 14 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Oklahoma City vs Tulsa: Cost of Living Comparison
90
vs
90
Median Home Value
$196,700
$174,200
Median Rent /mo
$1,012
$958
Median Income
$64,251
$56,648
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Tulsa edges out Oklahoma City on housing costs by 11%, a difference of $22,500. Factor in rent and utilities to get the complete affordability picture.
💼 Oklahoma City vs Tulsa: Job Market & Salaries
70
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
3.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Oklahoma City vs Tulsa: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Oklahoma City vs Tulsa: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
0
18 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Oklahoma City vs Tulsa: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Oklahoma City vs Tulsa: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
35
21
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Tulsa has a markedly lower disaster history — 14 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Oklahoma City to Tulsa: Common Questions

Is Oklahoma City or Tulsa cheaper to live in?
Tulsa is more affordable overall. Home prices are $22,500 lower in Tulsa. Monthly rent is $958 in Tulsa vs $1,012 in Oklahoma City.
Does Oklahoma City or Tulsa have better weather?
Tulsa scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Oklahoma City or Tulsa better for finding a job?
Tulsa currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 3.6% in Oklahoma City vs 3.6% in Tulsa. Median household income is $64,251 in Oklahoma City and $56,648 in Tulsa.
Which city is safer — Oklahoma City or Tulsa?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Tulsa is safer. Oklahoma City has had 35 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 21 in Tulsa. Oklahoma City scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Tulsa.
Should I move from Oklahoma City to Tulsa?
Based on our data, Tulsa scores 77.2/100 vs Oklahoma City's 74.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Tulsa is more affordable, while Tulsa has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.