City comparison
No. Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 257 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,361 in Houston.
The cost gap between Houston and Tulsa is the real story here. Tulsa comes in 23% cheaper on typical rent ($1,361 vs $1,052), which over a year adds up to $3,708. Median household income runs $64,813 in Houston and $59,838 in Tulsa.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Houston 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
Houston and Tulsa are 443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $309 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $4,975 (8%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 236 in Tulsa, down 34 points (13%).
The move
Tulsa and Houston are 443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,361 a month in Houston, up $309 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $64,813 in Houston, up $4,975 (8%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 270 in Houston, up 34 points (14%).
Houston, 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 Houston and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 23% cheaper than Houston
Houston
$1,361/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,361 in Houston, so Tulsa is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $309/month back in your pocket ($3,708/year). Over five years that's $18,540 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 Houston, 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
8% higher
Houston's median income is 8% higher than Tulsa
Houston
Winner$64,813
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Houston (about $4,975 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
13% lower crime
Tulsa's crime index is 13% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
Winner236 (100 = avg)
Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 270 in Houston (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 Houston. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Houston weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Houston
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Houston sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Houston 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 8% higher ($64,813), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 70°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 23% 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 Houston (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,052/month in Tulsa versus $1,361 in Houston. Median income reads $59,838 in Tulsa and $64,813 in Houston, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Houston's $1,361, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $64,813 in Houston versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Tulsa clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Houston deserves a serious look only when your $64,813 income offer in Houston outweighs saving $309/month in Tulsa.
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Nearby research
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