City comparison
No. Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $2,007 in Jersey City.
The income gap between Tulsa and Jersey City is significant: $59,838 median household versus $97,710. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,052 in Tulsa and $2,007 in Jersey City.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Jersey City 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 Jersey City are 1,224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, up $955 a month (91%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $97,710 in Jersey City, up $37,872 (63%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 135 in Jersey City, down 101 points (43%).
The move
Jersey City and Tulsa are 1,224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $955 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $37,872 (39%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 236 in Tulsa, up 101 points (75%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Jersey City, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
48% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 48% cheaper than Jersey City
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Jersey City
$2,007/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $2,007 in Jersey City, so Tulsa is 48% cheaper. That's roughly $955/month back in your pocket ($11,460/year). Over five years that's $57,300 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 Jersey City, 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
63% higher
Jersey City's median income is 63% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Jersey City
Winner$97,710
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 63% higher in Jersey City (about $37,872 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, Jersey City 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
43% lower crime
Jersey City's crime index is 43% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Jersey City
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% lower in Jersey City. 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, Jersey City 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
39% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 39% more comfortable than Jersey City
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Jersey City
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Jersey City averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Jersey City averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tulsa scores 39% 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 Jersey City 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 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 Jersey City on this page's weather index by 39%. Jersey City 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
Jersey City is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 63% higher here ($97,710). Start with Jersey City if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Jersey City is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 43% lower than Tulsa (135 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 $2,007 in Jersey City ($955 apart). Jersey City median income is $97,710 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 Jersey City's $2,007, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 34/100 in Tulsa and 51/100 in Jersey City.
Pick Tulsa when shaving $955 off rent at $1,052/month is the priority. Otherwise, Jersey City's case rests on $2,007/month rent with $97,710 local income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Jersey City, plus other cities in OK and NJ.
