City comparison
Yes. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The income gap between Atlanta and Tulsa is significant: $85,652 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Atlanta pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Tulsa at $1,052 average has pockets that run $852 and others at $1,452: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Atlanta and Tulsa are 677 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $659 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $25,814 (30%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 236 in Tulsa, up 39 points (20%).
The move
Tulsa and Atlanta are 677 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $659 a month (63%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $25,814 (43%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 197 in Atlanta, down 39 points (17%).
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Atlanta and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 39% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Tulsa is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $659/month back in your pocket ($7,908/year). Over five years that's $39,540 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Atlanta, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Tulsa is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
43% higher
Atlanta's median income is 43% higher than Tulsa
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 43% higher in Atlanta (about $25,814 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Atlanta is the stronger labor market on paper. Tulsa can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
17% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 17% lower than Tulsa
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Atlanta. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Atlanta is the easier city. Tulsa can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 3% more comfortable than Atlanta
Atlanta
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Tulsa scores 3% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Atlanta if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Atlanta is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 43% higher here ($85,652). Start with Atlanta if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 17% lower than Tulsa (197 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Tulsa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 39% cheaper here at about $1,052 a month. Choose Tulsa if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Tulsa if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Atlanta on this page's weather index by 3%. Atlanta may pay more or cost less, but Tulsa is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Tulsa undercuts Atlanta by $659/month ($1,052 vs $1,711). I would not pick Atlanta on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 39/100 in Atlanta and 34/100 in Tulsa.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Tulsa; Atlanta only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Atlanta at $85,652 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Tulsa, plus other cities in GA and OK.
