City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Tulsa split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 86 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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
Jacksonville and Tulsa are 920 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $413 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $10,034 (14%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 236 in Tulsa, up 86 points (57%).
The move
Tulsa and Jacksonville are 920 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $413 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $10,034 (17%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 150 in Jacksonville, down 86 points (36%).
Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 28% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Tulsa is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $413/month back in your pocket ($4,956/year). Over five years that's $24,780 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Jacksonville's median income is 17% higher than Tulsa
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Jacksonville (about $10,034 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, Jacksonville 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
36% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 36% lower than Tulsa
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Jacksonville. 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, Jacksonville 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
7% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 7% more comfortable than Tulsa
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Jacksonville scores 7% 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 17% higher ($69,872), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Tulsa (150 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 28% 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Jacksonville leads on safety (48/100 vs 34/100 in Tulsa). Typical rent is $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,052 in Tulsa; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Jacksonville still pays more locally ($69,872 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Jacksonville rates.
Median income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Between Jacksonville and Tulsa, Jacksonville is ahead on safety — 48/100 safety versus 34/100. Lean Tulsa instead when you already know the Tulsa block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Tulsa, plus other cities in FL and OK.
