Moving from Boulder, CO to Tulsa, OK
A move from Boulder, CO to Tulsa, OK covers 719 mi and around 12h 20m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
719 mi · 12h 20m by car · OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Centennial, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.202 to 89.214, putting Tulsa roughly 15.2% below Boulder on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Tulsa: 15.2% below Boulder on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 41.0" |
Tulsa runs 9.8°F warmer on the annual average (51.5°F vs 61.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 15.2% below Boulder ($85,364 vs $58,407, ACS 5-year 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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 719 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 15.2% lower than Boulder (89.214 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 719 mi and the route typically takes 12h 20m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 77.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 51.5°F in Boulder (9.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 21.2 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 31.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Tulsa, OK.