City comparison
Yes. Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 257 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,052 in Tulsa.
Safety is where Tulsa and Wichita split most clearly. Tulsa scores 90 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 $975 in Wichita.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita is the easier city on typical rent, but Tulsa can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Tulsa has rougher pockets and Wichita has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Tulsa and Wichita are 130 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $975 a month in Wichita, down $77 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $64,620 in Wichita, up $4,782 (8%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 326 in Wichita, up 90 points (38%).
The move
Wichita and Tulsa are 130 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, up $77 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $4,782 (7%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 236 in Tulsa, down 90 points (28%).
Tulsa, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tulsa and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Wichita rent is 7% cheaper than Tulsa
Tulsa
$1,052/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,052 in Tulsa, so Wichita is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $77, or $924 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Wichita's median income is 8% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Wichita
Winner$64,620
Median household income is $64,620 in Wichita versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Wichita (about $4,782 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
Tulsa's crime index is 28% lower than Wichita
Tulsa
Winner236 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Tulsa's crime index is 236 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% lower in Tulsa. 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, Tulsa is the easier city. Wichita can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Tulsa weather is 3% more comfortable than Wichita
Tulsa
Winner62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Wichita averages around 61°F. Tulsa scores 3% 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 Wichita 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
Pick Tulsa if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Wichita on this page's weather index by 3%. Wichita may pay more or cost less, but Tulsa is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Tulsa 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 Wichita (236 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Wichita is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($64,620). Start with Wichita if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Tulsa leads on safety (34/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,052 in Tulsa and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
With only $77 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $975 in Wichita and $1,052 in Tulsa.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Tulsa; Wichita only makes sense when you have walked the Wichita ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $975 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Wichita, plus other cities in OK and KS.
