Tulsa is famous for its oil and energy industry. On the other hand, Anaheim is world-renowned for amusement parks and entertainment. It is better to live in Anaheim because of its diverse economy, arts and recreation, housing, and green spaces.
If you are looking for job opportunities, a place to study, or a budget-friendly city, Tulsa is excellent. The city has thriving finance, aviation, telecommunications, and tech industries. It is also home to top-performing universities and colleges in the United States.
Meanwhile, Anaheim is an overcrowded city in Orange County. It has an expensive cost of living and is heavily dependent on its tourism industry. Nevertheless, it can boast about its charming neighborhoods and vibrant city center.
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What are the Pros and Cons of Tulsa vs. Anaheim?
Tulsa has a diverse economy with plenty of employment opportunities but a higher crime rate. Meanwhile, Anaheim is a safe and peaceful city but can cost you more than the national average in living expenses.
Living in Tulsa
Pros
- Meager cost of living
- Robust job market
- The United States Oil and Gas Association
- Williams Companies
- SemGroup
- This Land Press
- Educational Development Corporation
- GEB America
- Blooming Twig Books
- Leisure and activities
- Great schools and universities
- Tulsa School District
- Broken Arrow School
- Union School District
- Jenks School District
- Berryhill School District
- Allen-Bowden School District
- Competitive housing market
One of the main reasons more people move to Tulsa is its affordability. The real estate here is cheap because there is plenty of room to expand. Also, the living expenses are more reasonable when compared to the national average.
Even if you live with your family, you will find the city very affordable. A four-member family living in Tulsa will only need an annual salary of $82,332. With this amount, you can live well while enjoying all the perks of city life.
Tulsa is one of the top cities in the United States for job creation. There are plenty of employment opportunities in tech, finance, manufacturing, and energy.
Here are the major employers in Tulsa:
There are also budding small businesses helping in the city’s economic growth. You will notice the city is an ideal place to start your business, given the lower rental cost for commercial spaces and energetic workforce. Small and medium-sized businesses make up almost 80% of the city’s LLCs.
Tulsa is not a boring city. You have lots of things to do here, from dining out to sports and outdoor recreation. Arts and creative spaces are also available in this part of Oklahoma.
The city is home to two art museums, professional opera, concert venues, and ballet companies. You can watch basketball, soccer, and baseball in the city sports complex for sports enthusiasts. On the other hand, The Tulsa Zoo, Woodward Park, and Botanic Garden are great to spend time with your family.
Tulsa is also an excellent place to study and learn. It is home to several schools and colleges that offer high-quality education. There are various school districts servicing Tulsa.
It is an excellent area to study for higher education, given that it has around 15 colleges and universities. You can check out Oral Roberts University, Rogers State University, and the University of Tulsa. Community colleges are also available in the area.
Another thing to love about Tulsa is its competitive real estate prices. If you want to buy a property, you can easily do so in Tulsa. The average home value is $127, 000 which is way below the US median rate.
Renting is also available in this Oklahoma City. You can find a single-family house for only $950. It can go higher if you want a more expensive neighborhood like Bixby, Stillwater, and Oakhurst.
Cons
- Crime
- Poor public transportation
Tulsa has a crime rate higher than other major cities in Oklahoma. The rate is also more significant when compared to the national average. Meaning there is a chance to be a victim of crime when you relocate to this city.
Transportation is another drawback for Tulsa. It has a low public transit score of only 23. Most of the residents rely on cars to commute and go to work.
Living in Anaheim
Pros
- Great neighborhoods
- Perfect location
- Pleasant weather
- Fun and entertainment
- Anaheim Ice
- Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills
- Angel Stadium of Anaheim
- Honda Center
- Overcrowded
- Expensive cost of living
It is easy to find the perfect neighborhood that would suit your and your family’s needs. Anaheim has several communities and residential neighborhoods which you can consider. There are quiet and peaceful areas like the Anaheim Hills and the Santa Ana Foothills.
If you want to be near the city center, you can rent or buy a house in the downtown area. The place is near the City Hall, Police Station, public library, and more. You can also visit the Downtown Anaheim Farmer’s Market and the Anaheim Ice.
When you move to the city, you will have access to California’s iconic landmarks like Long Beach, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana. These places are a few minutes away from Anaheim. If you live in Anaheim, you can still find employment in nearby cities like Los Angeles.
The location of Anaheim has significant benefits. You can enjoy the amenities and nearby attractions of other towns. The city is a great choice, especially if you want instant access to the coastline and beach spots.
Another benefit of living in Anaheim is its pleasant weather. The city enjoys a temperate climate that guarantees excellent weather throughout the year. You will find that the winters are warm, and the summers are pleasantly sunny.
Anaheim is famous for being home to the happiest place on earth – Disneyland.
The city’s main attraction is Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, and Disney California Adventure Park.
The site is ideal for families with children, given the kid-friendly amusement parks.
You can also enjoy some time shopping in Anaheim’s most celebrated shopping center, Anaheim GardenWalk. It is a 440,000 square feet center with plenty of retail stores, restaurants, and activity areas.
Other places to visit are the following:
Cons
The city is home to only 357 000 residents. But it gets crowded every day because of its solid tourism sector. Local and abroad tourists flock to the town to visit its major attractions.
Over 25 million visit Anaheim every year for tourism. You will find Anaheim overcrowded, given that around 68,500 tourists visit every day.
If you consider moving to Anaheim, you must understand that the city has a high cost of living. The living expenses are higher than the state’s average and the national average. Even real estate is more than double the US median rate.
Anaheim or Tulsa – Which is more expensive?
Anaheim is a costly city to live in. When you compare it to Tulsa, the cost of living is 86.7% more expensive than in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The housing cost is also 401.2% higher in Anaheim, California.
| Living expenses | Anaheim | Tulsa |
| Housing | 257.1% | 51.3% |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5% | 94.9% |
| Health | 95.9% | 109.5% |
| Utilities | 97.4% | 95.6% |
| Transportation | 118% | 89.7% |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
> 100 means more expensive than the national average
< 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing cost
The cost of real estate properties here is higher in Anaheim. You need around $762,700 to buy a property in the area. Compared to Tulsa, the city requires you only to have $150,500 to own a house. The price difference is massive, and it will make or break your decision of which city to choose.
Utility cost
The cost of utility is almost comparable between the two cities. The price varies depending on the number of members you have in the family. You can spend $300 a month on your utilities in both Tulsa and Anaheim.
Food & groceries cost
Food and groceries are slightly higher in Anaheim than in Tulsa. You need to spend 8% more in Anaheim if you want to eat out or even go grocery shopping. If you are a wise shopper, this percentage difference is not remarkable.
Transportation cost
Anaheim has a poor public transportation system. It is also more expensive to commute to Anaheim than to Tulsa. You will pay 31.5% more in California, too.
Health care cost
One of the few things affordable in Anaheim is health care. The cost of medical services in Anaheim is below the national average. If we compare this to Tulsa, you will be paying 9.7% more for primary health care services in Tulsa than in Anaheim.
Is Anaheim bigger than Tulsa?
Tulsa is way more extensive than Anaheim. Its land area measures 182.6 square miles, while Anaheim has 50.8 square miles. In terms of population, both cities have more than 300,000 inhabitants.
Even if Anaheim is smaller than Tulsa, it is still divided into several districts. The Anaheim Resort, Anaheim Canyon, Platinum Triangle, and Anaheim Hills. The said districts were organized for better zoning and city management.
Meanwhile, the financial and business district greatly define the city of Tulsa. The historical and residential areas are primarily in Midtown. You will find many oil and energy companies in the said district.
Is Tulsa safer than Anaheim?
Anaheim may be more expensive than Tulsa, but it is less dangerous. You will find more safe and peaceful neighborhoods in Anaheim than in Tulsa. Hence, Anaheim is safer than Tulsa.
Statistically speaking, Anaheim has a crime rate index slightly lower than the national average. It is different from Tulsa since its recorded crime rate is twice the national average.
Both Tulsa’s property and violent crime are above the US median rate. It means you will feel safer roaming around the vicinity of Anaheim than in Oklahoma.
Is Anaheim warmer than Tulsa?
Anaheim has a hot semi-arid climate, while Tulsa enjoys a humid subtropical. The highest recorded temperature in Anaheim is only 84 degrees, while Tulsa recorded 93. Hence, Tulsa is warmer than Anaheim.
Anaheim’s weather is similar to the Mediterranean, with warm winters and erratic heavy rainfalls. Both cities have a warm climate. They regularly enjoy higher temperatures every year, given their proximity to coastal regions.
Living here is riskier because of natural disasters. The residents also experience thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods. In comparison, summers in Tulsa can be uncomfortable because of the humidity.
Is Tulsa better than Anaheim?
Tulsa is a better place to live compared to Anaheim. It offers a robust job market for professionals and excellent learning institutions for learners. On the other hand, Anaheim offers a safer place with plenty of entertainment spots.
Nevertheless, Tulsa wins if you consider all the essential things to have a quality life.
You will never have difficulty finding a job based on your expertise because of its diverse economy.
You can also send your children to excellent schools since the city government ensures top-notch education.
So, are you ready to move to Tulsa? Or Anaheim is your choice? Well, you can always share your thoughts below.