City profile · Oklahoma · Census ACS 2023

Tulsa, OK

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Tulsa - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

412,322
Residents
$58,407
Median income
$189,600
Median home
$1,217
Median rent (state)

Tulsa - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Tulsa places in the 33rd percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

33rd
percentile, household income
40th
percentile, home value
37th
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Tulsa, OK

412,322 people live in Tulsa, Oklahoma - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Tulsa brings in $58,407 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.2%. Typical homes in Tulsa are valued around $189,600, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. About 33.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 723 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 40% from five years earlier. Tulsa's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4569.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 61.3°F with 41.0 inches of precipitation per year and 8.7 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Oklahoma run below the national norm: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,217 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Oklahoma's average monthly utility costs around $205 (state average). Workers in Tulsa report an average commute of 16.8 minutes, with 75.4% driving alone and 10.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

412,322 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oklahoma

Median Household Income

$58,407 /yr

Poverty 14.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oklahoma average

How does Tulsa compare to other US cities?

Where Tulsa sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 40% pricier than other cities
Median rent 37% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Oklahoma alone, Tulsa ranks #198 of 203 Oklahoma cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Tulsa's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Oklahoma, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

33rdIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Tulsa's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Tulsa's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 33 Avg. percentile National median
Tulsa's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Tulsa's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$189,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Tulsa $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Tulsa, OK Tulsa, OK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Tulsa, OK-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Tulsa, OK median $58,407/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Tulsa, OK's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Tulsa, OK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
412,322
Median Income
$58,407
Median Home Value
$189,600
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
14.2%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4569.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
941.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3627.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
61.3°F
Annual Precipitation
41.0"
Annual Snowfall
8.7"

Schools

Total Schools
102
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
412,000 residents413,000 residents414,000 residents415,000 residents416,000 residents417,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 413,617 residents 416,209 residents ▲ +0.6%
Tulsa's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
723
housing units authorized
Single-Family
424
detached homes
Multifamily
299
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,209
2020 831
2021 817
2022 821
2023 876
2024 723

Permit volume decreased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.8 minutes
Drive Alone
75.4%
Carpool
10.2%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
10.1%
Other
2.1%

Based on 193,191 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Oklahoma - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$205
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Oklahoma state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Oklahoma state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Tulsa sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,217/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City
688,693 people
Norman
128,714 people
Broken Arrow
115,919 people
Edmond
95,618 people
Lawton
90,662 people
Moore
63,045 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Tulsa's 412,322 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bakersfield, CA
408,366 people
Minneapolis, MN
426,845 people
Wichita, KS
396,488 people
Arlington, TX
394,769 people
Tampa, FL
393,389 people
Aurora, CO
390,201 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Tulsa's $58,407 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Buena Vista, CO
$58,409 median income
Fort Campbell North, KY
$58,403 median income
Mountain Lake Park, MD
$58,418 median income
Milltown, IN
$58,419 median income
Oliver, GA
$58,393 median income
Brocton, IL
$58,393 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Tulsa, OK Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Tulsa, OK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 57.0% 14.2% 14.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.2% White 57.0% Black or African American 14.2% Asian 3.5% American Indian 4.3% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 5.9% Two or more races 14.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Tulsa compares to nearby Oklahoma cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Tulsa (this city) 412,322 $58,407
Oklahoma City 688,693 $66,702
Norman 128,714 $65,060
Broken Arrow 115,919 $85,220
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OK FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Tulsa, OK?

What is the population of Tulsa, OK? +

Tulsa, OK has a population of 412,322 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Tulsa, OK? +

Median annual household income in Tulsa runs $58,407, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Tulsa? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Tulsa; the closest available measure is the Oklahoma state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Oklahoma vary by metro area.

Is Tulsa, OK safe? +

Tulsa has a total crime rate of 4569.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Tulsa, OK? +

A typical home in Tulsa is worth $189,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Tulsa? +

Tulsa has an average annual temperature of 61.3°F, 41.0 inches of precipitation, and 8.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.