Moving from Centennial, CO to Tulsa, OK
The drive from Centennial, CO to Tulsa, OK runs 689 mi β about 12h on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
689 mi Β· 12h by car Β· OK β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Denver, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tulsa are 15.7% below Centennial β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tulsa typical home at $217,450 is 15.7% under Centennial at $649,086 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 41.0" |
Climate warms by 11.1Β°F on the annual average β 50.2Β°F β 61.3Β°F.
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.7% between Centennial and Tulsa (ACS 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β 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 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 15.7% lower than Centennial (89.214 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 689 mi and the route typically takes 12h via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 54.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 66.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 689 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,590,330 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Tulsa, OK.