City comparison
Yes. Fresno's crime index is 195 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 211 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
The cost gap between Fresno and Tulsa is the real story here. Tulsa comes in 26% cheaper on typical rent ($1,421 vs $1,052), which over a year adds up to $4,428. Median household income runs $70,991 in Fresno and $59,838 in Tulsa.
Fresno 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 Fresno 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
Fresno and Tulsa are 1,319 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $369 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $11,153 (16%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 236 in Tulsa, up 41 points (21%).
The move
Tulsa and Fresno are 1,319 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $369 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $70,991 in Fresno, up $11,153 (19%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 195 in Fresno, down 41 points (17%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 26% cheaper than Fresno
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,421 in Fresno, so Tulsa is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $369/month back in your pocket ($4,428/year). Over five years that's $22,140 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 Fresno, 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 Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
19% higher
Fresno's median income is 19% higher than Tulsa
Fresno
Winner$70,991
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Fresno (about $11,153 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, Fresno 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
Fresno's crime index is 17% lower than Tulsa
Fresno
Winner195 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Fresno's crime index is 195 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Fresno. 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, Fresno 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
Fresno weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Fresno
Winner69°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Fresno averages about 69°F (78°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Fresno sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Fresno 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 19% higher ($70,991), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fresno 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 (195 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 26% 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
Fresno runs $1,421/month while Tulsa sits at $1,052 — roughly 26% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Fresno-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Fresno's $1,421, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Tulsa is the default on housing cost at $1,052/month versus $1,421 in Fresno; Fresno stays in play when $70,991 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $369 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fresno and Tulsa, plus other cities in CA and OK.
