City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Tulsa and Plano is significant: $59,838 median household versus $112,253. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,052 in Tulsa and $1,841 in Plano.
Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano are 220 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $789 a month (75%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $112,253 in Plano, up $52,415 (88%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 62 in Plano, down 174 points (74%).
The move
Plano and Tulsa are 220 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $789 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $52,415 (47%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 236 in Tulsa, up 174 points (281%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 43% cheaper than Plano
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,841 in Plano, so Tulsa is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $789/month back in your pocket ($9,468/year). Over five years that's $47,340 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
88% higher
Plano's median income is 88% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 88% higher in Plano (about $52,415 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, Plano 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
74% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 74% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 74% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
Plano weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano 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 43% 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 88% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 74% lower than Tulsa (62 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 75/100 in Plano). That 41-point spread matters more than the $789 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Plano still pays more locally ($112,253 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Plano rates.
Median income is $112,253 in Plano versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
If safety drives your move, Plano is the stronger match (75/100 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
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Plano, plus other cities in OK and TX.
