City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Tulsa and Gilbert is significant: $59,838 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,052 in Tulsa and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert are 916 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $1,058 a month (101%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $62,713 (105%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 47 in Gilbert, down 189 points (80%).
The move
Gilbert and Tulsa are 916 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $1,058 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $62,713 (51%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 236 in Tulsa, up 189 points (402%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
50% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 50% cheaper than Gilbert
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Tulsa is 50% cheaper. That's roughly $1,058/month back in your pocket ($12,696/year). Over five years that's $63,480 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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
105% higher
Gilbert's median income is 105% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 105% higher in Gilbert (about $62,713 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, Gilbert 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
80% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 80% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 80% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert 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
Gilbert weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert 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 50% 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 105% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 80% lower than Tulsa (47 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Gilbert: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 34/100 in Tulsa, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,052. I would vet the exact ZIP in Tulsa before trading 49 safety points for housing savings.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Gilbert clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Tulsa deserves a serious look only when you already know the Tulsa block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Gilbert, plus other cities in OK and AZ.
