City comparison
Yes. Dallas's crime index is 188 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 179 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas.
The cost gap between Dallas and Tulsa is the real story here. Tulsa comes in 29% cheaper on typical rent ($1,472 vs $1,052), which over a year adds up to $5,040. Median household income runs $70,518 in Dallas and $59,838 in Tulsa.
Dallas is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Tulsa makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Dallas is the stronger move.
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
Dallas and Tulsa are 237 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $420 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $10,680 (15%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 236 in Tulsa, up 48 points (26%).
The move
Tulsa and Dallas are 237 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,472 a month in Dallas, up $420 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $70,518 in Dallas, up $10,680 (18%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 188 in Dallas, down 48 points (20%).
Dallas, TX
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 Dallas and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 29% cheaper than Dallas
Dallas
$1,472/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Tulsa is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $420/month back in your pocket ($5,040/year). Over five years that's $25,200 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
18% higher
Dallas's median income is 18% higher than Tulsa
Dallas
Winner$70,518
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Dallas (about $10,680 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, Dallas 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
20% lower crime
Dallas's crime index is 20% lower than Tulsa
Dallas
Winner188 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Dallas's crime index is 188 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 20% lower in Dallas. 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, Dallas 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
9% more comfortable
Dallas weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Dallas
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Dallas averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Dallas sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Dallas scores 9% 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 Tulsa 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 18% higher ($70,518), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Dallas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 20% lower than Tulsa (188 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tulsa
Tulsa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% 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.
Bottom line
Dallas runs $1,472/month while Tulsa sits at $1,052 — roughly 29% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Dallas-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Dallas's $1,472, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Between Dallas and Tulsa, Tulsa is ahead on housing cost — $1,052/month rent against $1,472. Lean Dallas instead when your $70,518 income offer in Dallas outweighs saving $420/month in Tulsa.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Dallas and Tulsa, plus other cities in TX and OK.
