Fort Worth, TX and Tulsa, OK are both vibrant cities in the American South, each offering unique living experiences with their individual cultural, economic and social climates. As one contemplates a potential move or visit, nuanced differences between these cities in aspects such as crime and safety, cost of living, and educational opportunities stand out. Similarly, variations in their work and economic landscapes, infrastructural development, key industries and occupations, and significant employers play crucial roles. Other factors like real estate prices, neighborhood characteristics, transportation options, local and state taxes, food and cultural scenes, sports teams, geographical conditions, and health care systems also significantly shape each city's living experience.
Distance between
Fort Worth, TX and
Tulsa, OK : 247.5 miles
Fort Worth's population is larger by 127%. Its population has grown by 400,814 people (75.0%) since 2000. The population of Tulsa has grown by 18,352 people (4.7%) during that time.
While both cities have their share of crime, Fort Worth generally appears safer than Tulsa, which has experienced a significant increase in crime rates in recent years. However, certain neighborhoods in each city can vary greatly in terms of safety. Visitors and potential residents should therefore research specific areas when considering a relocation or visit.
Cost of Living
In terms of the cost of living, Tulsa generally comes out ahead, with lower housing, grocery, and health care costs. Fort Worth, although still affordable compared to many US cities, has a slightly higher cost of living, particularly when it comes to housing.
Income Tax
Texas, and thereby Fort Worth, does not have a state income tax, which is a significant advantage for residents. Oklahoma does have a state income tax that ranges from 0.5% to 5.0%, with Tulsa residents subject to this range.
Property Tax
Property tax rates are higher in Texas than in Oklahoma, with Fort Worth residents paying an average of 1.93%, compared to Tulsa’s average property tax rate of 0.89%.
Sales Tax
The sales tax in Fort Worth (8.25%) is higher than in Tulsa (8.517%). However, neither Texas nor Oklahoma levy a city sales tax.
Income
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Estimated median household income
$68,235
$51,008
Estimated per capita income
$34,106
$33,002
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
95.4
86.5
If you make $50,000 in Tulsa, you will have to make $55,145 in Fort Worth to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Fort Worth offers flat grassland landscapes typical of the Texas plains, while Tulsa lies in the "Green Country" region of Oklahoma, known for its rolling green hills and the Ozark Mountains to the east.
Both cities offer good educational opportunities. Fort Worth has more colleges and universities, such as Texas Christian University and Texas Wesleyan University. Tulsa, however, is home to the well-regarded University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University.
Both cities have robust economies. Fort Worth benefits from its proximity to Dallas, making it an important economic hub. Tulsa’s economy is a mix of energy, aviation, finance, and technology industries.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in Fort Worth are Lockheed Martin, American Airlines, and NAS JRB. In Tulsa, the top employers include American Airlines (Maintenance Base), Saint Francis Hospital, and the University of Tulsa.
There were 7,236 building permits issued in Fort Worth in 2012 (4810 more than in 2011) compared to 652 building permits issued in Tulsa in 2012 (333 more than in 2011).
In Fort Worth (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Tulsa (Tulsa County), 36.3% voted for Democrats and 63.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
2020
49.3%
40.9%
49.1%
56.5%
1.6%
2.7%
2016
43.2%
35.6%
51.8%
58.4%
5.0%
6.1%
2012
41.4%
36.3%
57.1%
63.7%
1.4%
0.0%
2008
43.8%
37.8%
55.5%
62.2%
0.7%
0.0%
2004
37.0%
35.6%
62.5%
64.4%
0.5%
0.0%
2000
36.9%
37.3%
60.9%
61.3%
2.3%
1.3%
1996
41.6%
37.1%
50.9%
53.6%
7.5%
9.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
17.3%
14.9%
33.3%
18.6%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
11.1%
8.1%
1.9%
3.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.2%
0.5%
0.9%
0.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.7%
0.9%
1.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.6%
1.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.3%
0.8%
0.8%
1.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
0.9%
0.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.0%
0.3%
0.1%
0.5%
INTERNA PENTECO HOLINESS CHURCH
0.0%
0.7%
0.1%
0.7%
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FREE WILL BAPTISTS
0.0%
0.5%
0.1%
3.1%
Weather
Both cities offer variable climates, with Fort Worth experiencing slightly warmer weather than Tulsa. Summers in both cities can be hot, while winters are usually mild. Fort Worth, however, tends to have a slightly hotter and drier summer compared to Tulsa.
Weather and climate
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Temperature - Average
65°F
60.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.4%
73.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34.1%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82.1%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
35 in
42.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
18.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
21.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
64.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
50%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
10.2 mph
Average climate in Fort Worth, Texas
Average climate in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Fort Worth
Tulsa
2018
67
88
N/A
0.24
5.8
N/A
27.1
28.6
0.004
N/A
N/A
11.6
N/A
0.4
2017
67
80
N/A
0.22
6.2
N/A
27.2
29.9
0.004
N/A
N/A
10.2
N/A
0.5
2016
56
86
N/A
0.24
6.3
N/A
25.5
29.1
0.005
N/A
N/A
9.5
N/A
0.5
2015
61
74
N/A
0.25
6.5
N/A
24.8
28.1
0.004
N/A
N/A
8.6
N/A
0.8
2014
56
74
0.22
0.16
6.8
N/A
26.6
29.2
0.005
N/A
N/A
9.2
N/A
0.3
2013
64
85
0.25
0.21
6.4
N/A
26.5
29.8
0.005
N/A
N/A
10.1
N/A
0.5
2012
87
103
0.26
0.21
7.8
N/A
30.3
32.4
0.007
N/A
N/A
11.7
N/A
0.7
2011
79
108
0.23
0.27
7.9
N/A
30.7
33.8
0.005
N/A
N/A
13.8
N/A
0.8
2010
70
83
0.23
0.26
8.5
N/A
27.7
30.1
0.004
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
0.7
2009
81
88
0.25
0.26
8.7
N/A
29.5
29.8
0.004
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
0.7
2008
69
71
0.25
N/A
9.6
N/A
25.8
26.7
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2007
75
77
0.30
0.32
10.6
N/A
24.6
28.8
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
2006
90
95
0.34
N/A
10.2
N/A
29.7
32.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2005
102
84
0.34
N/A
10.9
N/A
28.4
28.9
N/A
N/A
11.3
N/A
0.9
N/A
2004
78
71
0.39
N/A
10.6
N/A
25.4
27.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2003
82
94
0.40
N/A
11.1
N/A
27.2
29.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2002
94
85
0.37
0.83
11.8
7.8
25.8
27.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2001
16
102
0.48
0.75
N/A
14.4
N/A
30.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2000
17
101
0.55
0.69
N/A
15.3
N/A
28.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
249.6%
277.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
562.8%
901.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
23%
34%
Transportation
Both cities have extensive highway systems, and public transportation options. Fort Worth with its superior railway system ensures easier commuting into Dallas, while Tulsa offers decent commute times but with less extensive public transit options.
Transport
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
2
808
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
19
35
Means of transportation to work
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Bicycle
0.1%
0.1%
Bus
0.4%
0.1%
Carpooled
11%
9%
Car alone
85.8%
87.9%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.3%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Average
28.5 min
23.8 min
Other means
25.3 min
19.2 min
Public transportation
41.8 min
40.1 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
87.6%
88.9%
In 2 person carpool
8.5%
8.7%
In 3 person carpool
2.5%
1.5%
In 4 person carpool
1.1%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.5%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Fort Worth tends to be pricier than in Tulsa due to higher demand and its proximity to Dallas. However, both cities provide an array of housing options, from apartments to single-family homes.
Neighborhoods
Fort Worth comprises distinctive neighborhoods such as Sundance Square and the Stockyards offering an old-world charm. Tulsa's neighborhoods like Brookside and Cherry Street highlight its artsy and bohemian culture.
Houses and residents
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Houses
361,341
194,402
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.3
Median year apartment built
1991
1975
Median year house/condo built
1995
1969
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.2 years
12.9 years
Houses occupied
334,286 (92.5%)
173,943 (89.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
185,197 (55.4%)
89,307 (51.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
149,089 (44.6%)
84,636 (48.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,068
$899.30
Median monthly housing costs
$1,328
$897
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$288,576
$163,212
Estimated median house or condo value
$249,000
$172,000
Median numbers of rooms
5.3
5.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.4
Median house price - detached houses
$279,885
$247,367
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$496,968
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$337,081
$94,964
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$298,062
$176,274
Median house price - mobile homes
$58,470
$73,235
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$16,069
$166,906
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$279,957
$184,309
Median house price - All housing units
$279,281
$241,263
Median house age
29
49
Renting percentage
40.8%
46.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,235.2
1,064.4
House value disparities
31.8%
41.8%
Household income disparities
43.6%
48.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$106,170
$84,820
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,147
$57,403
Housing units without a mortgage
2,986 (2.4%)
855 (1.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,696 (3%)
2,464 (4.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
121,099 (97.6%)
50,494 (98.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
66 (0.1%)
93 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,171 (4.2%)
3,580 (7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
8
11
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.8%
2.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.7%
1.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Fort Worth
Tulsa
One, detached
65.4%
62.9%
One, attached
2.9%
2.8%
Two
1.6%
1.9%
3 or 4
4.1%
5.0%
5 to 9
5.8%
6.8%
10 to 19
6.5%
9.2%
20 to 49
4.6%
4.4%
50 or more
7.0%
5.8%
Mobile homes
2.1%
1.1%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
27,257
13,964
State government workers
8,587
5,897
Unpaid family workers
392
284
Industries and Occupations
The dominant industries in Fort Worth include aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing, while in Tulsa, the leading sectors are energy, aviation, and information technology.
Both cities provide extensive healthcare services. Fort Worth is home to several top-rated hospitals, while Tulsa boasts Saint Francis Hospital, one of the largest in the state.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Fort Worth boasts superior infrastructure compared to Tulsa, with a slightly larger and more diverse cityscape, offering a mix of contemporary and traditional architecture. Tulsa, while smaller, prides itself on its art deco structures scattered throughout downtown.
Infrastructure
Type
Fort Worth
Tulsa
Hospitals
76
45
TV stations
25
20
Arenas or stadiums
7
2
Bank branches located here
175
160
Bank institutions located here
42
40
Main business address for public companies
24
27
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
3
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Fort Worth
Tulsa
1999
3,575
2,135
2000
2,473
1,531
2001
2,109
1,216
2002
1,701
1,106
2003
2,183
1,243
2004
3,202
1,354
2005
4,261
1,709
2006
4,161
1,756
2007
2,871
1,014
2008
1,256
517
2009
585
327
Culture and Food
Fort Worth boasts a rich cowboy heritage, reflected in its food and culture, famous for its BBQ and Mexican cuisine. Tulsa offers a blend of southern charm and cosmopolitan culture, with a thriving arts scene and varied culinary offerings.
Sports Teams
Fort Worth residents have access to several professional sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), and Dallas Mavericks (NBA) owing to its close proximity to Dallas. Tulsa, while lacking major sports franchises, is home to minor league teams, and high-level college sports.
Fort Worth, TX
Tulsa, OK
