City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,372 in Richmond.
Safety is where Tulsa and Richmond split most clearly. Richmond scores 67 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 $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tulsa costs less and Richmond 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 Richmond are 1,027 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,372 a month in Richmond, up $320 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $64,587 in Richmond, up $4,749 (8%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 169 in Richmond, down 67 points (28%).
The move
Richmond and Tulsa are 1,027 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $320 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $4,749 (7%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 236 in Tulsa, up 67 points (40%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 23% cheaper than Richmond
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Richmond
$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,372 in Richmond, so Tulsa is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $320/month back in your pocket ($3,840/year). Over five years that's $19,200 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 Richmond, 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
8% higher
Richmond's median income is 8% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Richmond
Winner$64,587
Median household income is $64,587 in Richmond versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Richmond (about $4,749 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
28% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 28% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% lower in Richmond. 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, Richmond 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
18% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 18% more comfortable than Richmond
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tulsa scores 18% 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 Richmond 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 23% 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 Richmond on this page's weather index by 18%. Richmond 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
Richmond is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($64,587). Start with Richmond if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Richmond is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 28% lower than Tulsa (169 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Richmond leads on safety (44/100 vs 34/100 in Tulsa). Typical rent is $1,372 in Richmond and $1,052 in Tulsa; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Richmond still pays more locally ($64,587 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Richmond rates.
Weather averages land near 62°F in Tulsa and 57°F in Richmond.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Richmond; Tulsa only makes sense when you have walked the Tulsa ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,052 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Tulsa when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Richmond, plus other cities in OK and VA.
