City comparison
No. Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 257 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
The income gap between Minneapolis and Tulsa is significant: $80,846 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Tulsa is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Minneapolis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Tulsa 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
Minneapolis and Tulsa are 626 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $319 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $21,008 (26%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 236 in Tulsa, down 67 points (22%).
The move
Tulsa and Minneapolis are 626 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $319 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $21,008 (35%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 303 in Minneapolis, up 67 points (28%).
Minneapolis, MN
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 Minneapolis and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 23% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Tulsa is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $319/month back in your pocket ($3,828/year). Over five years that's $19,140 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 Minneapolis, 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
35% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 35% higher than Tulsa
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Minneapolis (about $21,008 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, Minneapolis 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
22% lower crime
Tulsa's crime index is 22% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
Winner236 (100 = avg)
Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% lower in Tulsa. 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, Tulsa is the easier city. Minneapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 28% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Tulsa scores 28% 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 Minneapolis 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 and professional growth
Minneapolis is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
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.
Pick Tulsa if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Minneapolis on this page's weather index by 28%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but Tulsa is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Tulsa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Minneapolis (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 $1,371 in Minneapolis. Median income reads $59,838 in Tulsa and $80,846 in Minneapolis, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Minneapolis's $1,371, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 26/100 in Minneapolis and 34/100 in Tulsa.
Tulsa clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Minneapolis deserves a serious look only when your $80,846 income offer in Minneapolis outweighs saving $319/month in Tulsa.
Common questions
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