Moving from Cary, NC to Broken Arrow, OK
It is 1139 mi between Cary and Broken Arrow β roughly 20h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1139 mi Β· 20h 34m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.1% cheaper overall in Broken Arrow than Cary on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cary | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
Broken Arrow households earn about 9.1% less than Cary at the median β $129,399 β $85,220 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow 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 North Carolina 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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 Broken Arrow average 94Β°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 β 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 Cary to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1139 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 9.1% lower than Cary (89.214 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1139 mi and the route typically takes 20h 34m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $129,399 in Cary β a 34.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $626,396 in Cary β a 54.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC Β· Broken Arrow, OK.