Moving from Alexandria, VA to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 1234 mi from Alexandria to Tulsa is a 22h 48m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1234 mi · 22h 48m by car · OK → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 44, US 48 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Tulsa at 89.214 vs Alexandria at 108.884.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $676,205 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Alexandria (59.3°F) and Tulsa (61.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.1% — $113,638 → $58,407 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tulsa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tulsa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tulsa more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 18.1% lower than Alexandria (89.214 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 67.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 1234 mi and the route typically takes 22h 48m via I 64 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1234 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (2.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 41.8 in.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 48.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Tulsa, OK.