City comparison
Yes. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Tulsa is significant: $140,970 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,052 in Tulsa.
San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Tulsa are 1,458 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $1,424 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $81,132 (58%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 236 in Tulsa, up 53 points (29%).
The move
Tulsa and San Francisco are 1,458 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,424 a month (135%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $81,132 (136%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 183 in San Francisco, down 53 points (22%).
San Francisco, CA
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 Francisco and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
58% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 58% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Tulsa is 58% cheaper. That's roughly $1,424/month back in your pocket ($17,088/year). Over five years that's $85,440 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
136% higher
San Francisco's median income is 136% higher than Tulsa
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 136% higher in San Francisco (about $81,132 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, San Francisco 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
San Francisco's crime index is 22% lower than Tulsa
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% lower in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco 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
San Francisco weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
San Francisco
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tulsa averages around 62°F. San Francisco 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 136% higher ($140,970), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
San Francisco 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 Tulsa (183 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 58% 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
San Francisco runs $2,476/month while Tulsa sits at $1,052 — roughly 58% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Francisco-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 34/100 in Tulsa.
Tulsa is the default on housing cost at $1,052/month versus $2,476 in San Francisco; San Francisco stays in play when $140,970 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,424 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for San Francisco when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Tulsa, plus other cities in CA and OK.
