City comparison
San Antonio is safer than Tulsa. San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 164 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,324 in San Antonio.
The cost gap between San Antonio and Tulsa is the real story here. Tulsa comes in 21% cheaper on typical rent ($1,324 vs $1,052), which over a year adds up to $3,264. Median household income runs $65,056 in San Antonio and $59,838 in Tulsa.
This is a genuine split. San Antonio wins on the job market and safety and Tulsa wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
San Antonio and Tulsa are 487 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $272 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $5,218 (8%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 236 in Tulsa, up 24 points (11%).
The move
Tulsa and San Antonio are 487 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, up $272 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $65,056 in San Antonio, up $5,218 (9%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 212 in San Antonio, down 24 points (10%).
San Antonio, 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 San Antonio and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 21% cheaper than San Antonio
San Antonio
$1,324/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,324 in San Antonio, so Tulsa is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $272/month back in your pocket ($3,264/year). Over five years that's $16,320 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 San Antonio, 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 San Antonio? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
9% higher
San Antonio's median income is 9% higher than Tulsa
San Antonio
Winner$65,056
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $65,056 in San Antonio versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 9% higher in San Antonio (about $5,218 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
10% lower crime
San Antonio's crime index is 10% lower than Tulsa
San Antonio
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in San Antonio. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in San Antonio, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Tulsa. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Antonio and Tulsa are about even on typical weather.
San Antonio
74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Antonio averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Tulsa averages about 68°F (76°F highs). San Antonio sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
San Antonio is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 9% higher here ($65,056). Start with San Antonio if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
San Antonio is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Tulsa (212 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 21% 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
On rent alone, Tulsa undercuts San Antonio by $272/month ($1,052 vs $1,324). I would not pick San Antonio on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below San Antonio's $1,324, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $65,056 in San Antonio versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Between San Antonio and Tulsa, Tulsa is ahead on housing cost — $1,052/month rent against $1,324. Lean San Antonio instead when your $65,056 income offer in San Antonio outweighs saving $272/month in Tulsa.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Antonio and Tulsa, plus other cities in TX and OK.
