City comparison
Yes. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,073 in El Paso.
Safety is where El Paso and Tulsa split most clearly. El Paso scores 149 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,073 in El Paso and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa is the easier city on typical rent, but El Paso can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. El Paso has rougher pockets and Tulsa has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
El Paso and Tulsa are 673 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $21 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $59,838 in Tulsa, up $93 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 236 in Tulsa, up 149 points (171%).
The move
Tulsa and El Paso are 673 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,073 a month in El Paso, up $21 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $59,745 in El Paso, down $93 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 87 in El Paso, down 149 points (63%).
El Paso, 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 El Paso and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 2% cheaper than El Paso
El Paso
$1,073/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,073 in El Paso, so Tulsa is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $21, or $252 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Tulsa's median income is 1% higher than El Paso
El Paso
$59,745
Tulsa
Winner$59,838
Median household income is $59,838 in Tulsa versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Tulsa (about $93 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
63% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 63% lower than Tulsa
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% lower in El Paso. 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, El Paso 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
El Paso weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
El Paso
Winner66°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
El Paso averages about 66°F (72°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). El Paso sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. El Paso 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick El Paso if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (66°F) beat Tulsa on this page's weather index by 9%. Tulsa may pay more or cost less, but El Paso is the city where the forecast fights you less.
El Paso is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 63% lower than Tulsa (87 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Tulsa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($59,838). Start with Tulsa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: El Paso scores 64/100 versus 34/100 in Tulsa. Typical rent is the same $1,073/month in both cities, so you are choosing streets and blocks, not a cheaper lease.
Median income is $59,838 in Tulsa versus $59,745 in El Paso — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
El Paso is ahead on safety (64/100 vs 34/100); Tulsa is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,052/month rent plus $59,838 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Weather averages land near 66°F in El Paso and 62°F in Tulsa.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for El Paso and Tulsa, plus other cities in TX and OK.
