For your next stay in Oklahoma, you are wondering about the areas to avoid in Tulsa, particularly the most dangerous neighborhoods. It is, in fact, normal to find out about the different neighborhoods of Tulsa before choosing your hotel or apartment. Indeed, Tulsa is unfortunately known for having one of the highest crime rates in the state of Oklahoma.
So, here are the latest statistics on crime rates in Tulsa and the guide to the worst and best areas to stay in Tulsa.
It was written by synthesizing information published on the internet from various sources (press articles, statistics and rankings). Thus, it does not contain any judgment or discriminatory comments.
Is Tulsa a dangerous city?
To determine whether Tulsa is a dangerous city, I compared its crime rate with other major cities around the world and in the United States.
First of all, it can be stated that, according to rankings such as statista.com or populationu.com, Tulsa is not among the most dangerous cities in the world (unlike many cities in Brazil , Mexico or South Africa ).
But that's not enough to determine whether Tulsa is dangerous or not. Let's look at the statistics from Numbeo.com, which ranks the world's major cities based on their crime index. With a crime index of 52.09 , Tulsa is not among the most crime-ridden cities in the world. In fact, comparing its crime index, Tulsa is in the average range and appears less crime-ridden than London , Dublin , Paris , or Jakarta.
But what about at the national level? In 2024, Tulsa was not among the safest cities in the United States. According to the numbeo.com ranking of the most crime-ridden cities in the US, Tulsa was near the bottom of the list but had a higher crime index than Columbus , San Antonio , or Denver.
Below, let's take a look at Tulsa's crime rate compared to the average city in the United States.
Crime rates in Tulsa
The crime rate is a tool used to measure the level of crime in a given area. According to the latest publications from areavibes.com and neighborhoodscout.com, in Tulsa the crime index is 60, which means that a person has a 17 in XNUMX chance of becoming a victim of a crime, that it is a violent crime or a property crime.
Compared to other cities in Oklahoma, Tulsa has the highest crime rate:
- Violent crime, such as rape, murder, armed robbery, and assault, is a major concern in Tulsa. According to FBI data, the odds of becoming a victim of violent crime in Tulsa are one in 92. This rate is one of the highest in the country for any community size.
- Property crimes, such as burglary, theft, and vehicle theft, are also widespread in Tulsa. A person has a one in 20 chance of becoming a victim of property crime, with a rate of 49 crimes per thousand inhabitants. Vehicle theft is of particular concern in Tulsa, with one of the highest rates in the country.
According to forecasts for 2023, a slight increase in the total number of crime incidents in Tulsa is expected. The forecast shows a total of 26 incidents, with 696 property crimes and 22 violent crimes.
However, crime rates vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood in Tulsa. Some areas of the city have much higher crime rates than others. This is why it is important to know which are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Tulsa and the safest (see list below).
Map of Dangerous Neighborhoods in Tulsa
To help you locate the areas to avoid in Tulsa listed below, here is a map that shows the main neighborhoods of the city:
Most dangerous neighborhoods in Tulsa
By summarizing the latest figures published in 2023 on numerous websites such as areavibes.com, neighborhoodscout.com, crimegrade.org, here are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Tulsa:
- Dawson
- Garnett/Mingo
- Comanche Park
- Archer Heights
- Carriage Trail / Sharon Heights
- Dunbar
- Woodrow Park
- Latimer Park
- United Neighbors Of Springdale
- Maplewood
- Central Park
- Shortness of breath
- Mid-Town Village / Max Campbell
- Riverwood/Southern Hills View
This list is neither exhaustive nor classified. It simply lists the most dangerous neighborhoods in Tulsa which are those with the highest crime rates per number of residents.
Areas to Avoid in Tulsa
The main areas to avoid in Tulsa are in the north and east part of the city. Indeed, we see that the most dangerous neighborhoods are mainly concentrated in these two areas. Also note that downtown Tulsa is also considered unsafe.
Red light district to avoid in Tulsa
As in many large cities, there are areas in Tulsa that are poorly traveled at night and are best avoided. The 2 main ones are:
- The part between Peoria Avenue and South Lewis Avenue
- Kendall Whittier Street
Is the area around the University of Tulsa safe?
While the campus does not have a security problem, there are certain areas around the University of Tulsa that should be avoided. This concerns the area to the north and part of the west zone while the areas to the south and east of the university are safe.
Best neighborhoods to stay in Tulsa
Now that we've looked at the worst neighborhoods in Tulsa, it's time to turn our attention to the best neighborhoods in the city. Here are some of the most desirable neighborhoods in Tulsa in 2024:
- Utica Square
Utica Square is considered the best neighborhood in Tulsa. With its upscale boutiques, restaurants and magnificent homes, Utica Square offers an exceptional quality of life.
- Midtown
Midtown is another cool neighborhood in Tulsa. With a population of 93, this neighborhood offers a variety of housing options, bustling shopping, and proximity to major business centers.
- South Tulsa
South Tulsa is also one of the city's best neighborhoods. With a population of 34, this neighborhood offers a high quality of life, quality schools, and proximity to major Tulsa attractions.
- Southern Hills
Finally, Southern Hills is another good neighborhood in Tulsa. With its spacious homes, golf courses, and picturesque landscapes, Southern Hills provides an ideal living environment for many families.
Where to choose your hotel in Tulsa?
When it comes to choosing the best area to stay in as a tourist, one stands out from the rest: the Blue Dome District . This trendy and eclectic neighborhood is a perfect blend of history and modernity.
The Blue Dome District takes its name from the iconic blue dome that sits atop a historic building in the heart of the district. This area has a vibrant nightlife, with many bars, clubs and live music venues.
This fairly central neighborhood has a convenient location close to some of Tulsa's top attractions. From the historic Brady Arts District to the beautiful Gathering Place Park, there's plenty to see and do within walking distance. Plus, with easy access to public transportation and major highways, you can easily explore other parts of Tulsa and beyond.
If you are looking for a nice hotel ideally located in this area, I recommend the Indigo Tulsa DWTN/Entertainment Area.
Image by Jerry Waxman from Pixabay