City comparison
Yes. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The income gap between Boston and Tulsa is significant: $97,344 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,147 in Boston and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Boston 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
Boston and Tulsa are 1,395 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $1,095 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $37,506 (39%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 236 in Tulsa, up 89 points (61%).
The move
Tulsa and Boston are 1,395 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $1,095 a month (104%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $97,344 in Boston, up $37,506 (63%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 147 in Boston, down 89 points (38%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
51% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 51% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $2,147 in Boston, so Tulsa is 51% cheaper. That's roughly $1,095/month back in your pocket ($13,140/year). Over five years that's $65,700 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 Boston, 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
63% higher
Boston's median income is 63% higher than Tulsa
Boston
Winner$97,344
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 63% higher in Boston (about $37,506 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, Boston 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
38% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 38% lower than Tulsa
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Boston. 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, Boston 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
59% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 59% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Tulsa scores 59% 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 Boston 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
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 63% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Tulsa (147 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 51% 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 Boston on this page's weather index by 59%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Tulsa is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Boston runs $2,147/month while Tulsa sits at $1,052 — roughly 51% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Boston-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Boston and 34/100 in Tulsa.
Between Boston and Tulsa, Tulsa is ahead on housing cost — $1,052/month rent against $2,147. Lean Boston instead when your $97,344 income offer in Boston outweighs saving $1,095/month in Tulsa.
Common questions
Ready to move to Tulsa?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Tulsa when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Tulsa, plus other cities in MA and OK.
