City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Tulsa and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 104 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,052 in Tulsa and $1,470 in Arlington.
Arlington 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 Arlington 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
Tulsa and Arlington are 245 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $418 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $75,171 in Arlington, up $15,333 (26%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 132 in Arlington, down 104 points (44%).
The move
Arlington and Tulsa are 245 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $418 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $15,333 (20%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 236 in Tulsa, up 104 points (79%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 28% cheaper than Arlington
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Tulsa is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $418/month back in your pocket ($5,016/year). Over five years that's $25,080 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 Arlington, 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 Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
26% higher
Arlington's median income is 26% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Arlington (about $15,333 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, Arlington 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
44% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 44% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in Arlington. 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, Arlington 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
Arlington weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington 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
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 28% 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.
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 26% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Tulsa (132 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
Tulsa carries the heavier crime signal on this page (34/100 safety vs 52/100 in Arlington). That 18-point spread matters more than the $418 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
If safety drives your move, Arlington is the stronger match (52/100 safety versus 34/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Tulsa, treat $1,052/month rent and $59,838 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
Ready to move to Arlington?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Arlington, plus other cities in OK and TX.
