City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
The income gap between Tulsa and Scottsdale is significant: $59,838 median household versus $110,886. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,052 in Tulsa and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 919 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $961 a month (91%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $51,048 (85%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 79 in Scottsdale, down 157 points (67%).
The move
Scottsdale and Tulsa are 919 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $961 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $51,048 (46%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 236 in Tulsa, up 157 points (199%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
48% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 48% cheaper than Scottsdale
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so Tulsa is 48% cheaper. That's roughly $961/month back in your pocket ($11,532/year). Over five years that's $57,660 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
85% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 85% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 85% higher in Scottsdale (about $51,048 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, Scottsdale 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
67% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 67% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Scottsdale. 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, Scottsdale 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
Scottsdale weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Scottsdale
Winner79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 79°F (86°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Scottsdale sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale 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 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.
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 85% higher ($110,886), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 79°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 67% lower than Tulsa (79 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: Scottsdale scores 67/100 versus 34/100 in Tulsa. Rent is $2,013/month in Scottsdale and $1,052/month in Tulsa, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Scottsdale still pays more locally ($110,886 median income vs $59,838), which can offset the lease if your field pays Scottsdale rates.
Median income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
Between Tulsa and Scottsdale, Scottsdale is ahead on safety — 67/100 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
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