City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The income gap between Raleigh and Tulsa is significant: $85,395 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Tulsa are 970 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $520 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $25,557 (30%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 236 in Tulsa, up 94 points (66%).
The move
Tulsa and Raleigh are 970 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $520 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $25,557 (43%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 142 in Raleigh, down 94 points (40%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 33% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Tulsa is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $520/month back in your pocket ($6,240/year). Over five years that's $31,200 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 Raleigh, 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
43% higher
Raleigh's median income is 43% higher than Tulsa
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 43% higher in Raleigh (about $25,557 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, Raleigh 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
40% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 40% lower than Tulsa
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
Tulsa weather is 7% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Tulsa 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 Raleigh 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
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 43% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Tulsa (142 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
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 33% 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 Raleigh on this page's weather index by 7%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Tulsa is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Raleigh leads on safety (49/100 vs 34/100 in Tulsa). Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,052 in Tulsa; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Raleigh; 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
Quotes and listings for Tulsa when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Tulsa, plus other cities in NC and OK.
