City comparison
Yes. Mesa's crime index is 108 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 131 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,620 in Mesa.
Safety is where Mesa and Tulsa split most clearly. Mesa scores 128 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,620 in Mesa and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Mesa 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 Mesa 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
Mesa and Tulsa are 917 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,620 a month in Mesa to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $568 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $82,752 in Mesa to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $22,914 (28%).
The crime index goes from 108 in Mesa to 236 in Tulsa, up 128 points (119%).
The move
Tulsa and Mesa are 917 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,620 a month in Mesa, up $568 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $82,752 in Mesa, up $22,914 (38%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 108 in Mesa, down 128 points (54%).
Mesa, AZ
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 Mesa and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 35% cheaper than Mesa
Mesa
$1,620/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,620 in Mesa, so Tulsa is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $568/month back in your pocket ($6,816/year). Over five years that's $34,080 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 Mesa, 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 Mesa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
38% higher
Mesa's median income is 38% higher than Tulsa
Mesa
Winner$82,752
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $82,752 in Mesa versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Mesa (about $22,914 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, Mesa 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
54% lower crime
Mesa's crime index is 54% lower than Tulsa
Mesa
Winner108 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Mesa's crime index is 108 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% lower in Mesa. 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, Mesa 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
Mesa weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Mesa
Winner79°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Mesa averages about 79°F (87°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Mesa sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Mesa 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 38% higher ($82,752), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 79°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Mesa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than Tulsa (108 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 35% 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
Safety is the widest gap: Mesa scores 58/100 versus 34/100 in Tulsa. Rent is $1,620/month in Mesa and $1,052/month in Tulsa, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Mesa still pays more locally ($82,752 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Mesa rates.
Median income is $82,752 in Mesa versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Mesa; Tulsa only makes sense when you have walked the Tulsa ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,052 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Mesa and Tulsa, plus other cities in AZ and OK.
