City comparison
No. Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 252 in Seattle, and its violent crime index is 257 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle.
The income gap between Seattle and Tulsa is significant: $123,860 median household versus $59,838. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,030 in Seattle 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. Seattle 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
Seattle and Tulsa are 1,558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,030 a month in Seattle to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $978 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $123,860 in Seattle to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $64,022 (52%).
The crime index goes from 252 in Seattle to 236 in Tulsa, down 16 points (6%).
The move
Tulsa and Seattle are 1,558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $2,030 a month in Seattle, up $978 a month (93%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $123,860 in Seattle, up $64,022 (107%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 252 in Seattle, up 16 points (7%).
Seattle, WA
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 Seattle and Tulsa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
48% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 48% cheaper than Seattle
Seattle
$2,030/mo
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Tulsa is 48% cheaper. That's roughly $978/month back in your pocket ($11,736/year). Over five years that's $58,680 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 Seattle, 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
107% higher
Seattle's median income is 107% higher than Tulsa
Seattle
Winner$123,860
Tulsa
$59,838
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 107% higher in Seattle (about $64,022 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, Seattle 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
6% lower crime
Tulsa's crime index is 6% lower than Seattle
Seattle
252 (100 = avg)
Tulsa
Winner236 (100 = avg)
Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 252 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% lower in Tulsa. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Tulsa, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Seattle. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
44% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 44% more comfortable than Seattle
Seattle
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Seattle averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs). Seattle averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tulsa averages around 62°F. Tulsa scores 44% 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 Seattle 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
Seattle is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 107% higher here ($123,860). Start with Seattle 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 48% 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 Seattle on this page's weather index by 44%. Seattle 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 6% lower than Seattle (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Tulsa at $1,052/month versus $2,030 in Seattle ($978 apart). Seattle median income is $123,860 against $59,838 in Tulsa, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Seattle's $2,030, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 52°F in Seattle and 62°F in Tulsa.
If housing cost drives your move, Tulsa is the stronger match ($1,052/month rent against $2,030). If an employer or family tie already points to Seattle, treat $2,030/month rent and $123,860 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Seattle and Tulsa, plus other cities in WA and OK.
