City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Tulsa and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 163 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 $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Boise 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
Tulsa and Boise are 1,185 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $394 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $83,904 in Boise, up $24,066 (40%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 73 in Boise, down 163 points (69%).
The move
Boise and Tulsa are 1,185 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $394 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $24,066 (29%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 236 in Tulsa, up 163 points (223%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 27% cheaper than Boise
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,446 in Boise, so Tulsa is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $394/month back in your pocket ($4,728/year). Over five years that's $23,640 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 Boise, 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
40% higher
Boise's median income is 40% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 40% higher in Boise (about $24,066 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, Boise 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
69% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 69% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 69% lower in Boise. 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, Boise 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
3% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 3% more comfortable than Boise
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Boise averages around 61°F. Tulsa scores 3% 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 Boise if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 27% 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 Boise on this page's weather index by 3%. Boise may pay more or cost less, but Tulsa is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boise is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 40% higher here ($83,904). Start with Boise if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 69% lower than Tulsa (73 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
Safety is the widest gap: Boise scores 70/100 versus 34/100 in Tulsa. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,052/month in Tulsa, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Boise's $1,446, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,052 in Tulsa and $1,446 in Boise.
Between Tulsa and Boise, Boise is ahead on safety — 70/100 safety versus 34/100. Lean Tulsa instead when you already know the Tulsa block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Boise, plus other cities in OK and ID.
