City comparison
No. Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 257 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Tulsa is significant: $94,718 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,052 in Tulsa.
This is a genuine split. Denver wins on the job market and Tulsa wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Denver and Tulsa are 549 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $779 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $34,880 (37%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 236 in Tulsa, down 35 points (13%).
The move
Tulsa and Denver are 549 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $779 a month (74%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $94,718 in Denver, up $34,880 (58%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 271 in Denver, up 35 points (15%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 43% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,831 in Denver, so Tulsa is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $779/month back in your pocket ($9,348/year). Over five years that's $46,740 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 Denver, 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
58% higher
Denver's median income is 58% higher than Tulsa
Denver
Winner$94,718
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 58% higher in Denver (about $34,880 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, Denver 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
13% lower crime
Tulsa's crime index is 13% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
Winner236 (100 = avg)
Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Tulsa. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Tulsa, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Denver and Tulsa are about even on typical weather.
Denver
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Tulsa averages around 62°F. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 58% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Tulsa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 43% 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.
Tulsa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Denver (236 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Tulsa at $1,052/month versus $1,831 in Denver ($779 apart). Denver median income is $94,718 against $59,838 in Tulsa, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 34/100 in Tulsa.
Tulsa clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Denver deserves a serious look only when your $94,718 income offer in Denver outweighs saving $779/month in Tulsa.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Tulsa, plus other cities in CO and OK.
