Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Tulsa, OK
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Tulsa, OK runs 737 mi — about 13h 6m 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.
737 mi · 13h 6m by car · OK → AR → TN → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 24, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Chattanooga (91.464) and Tulsa (89.214) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Tulsa: 2.5% below Chattanooga on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 41.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.41 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Tennessee 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-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 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
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 4.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga 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 737 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 32.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 2.5% lower than Chattanooga (89.214 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 55.0 in.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 737 mi and the route typically takes 13h 6m via I 40 and I 24. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 261,750 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 Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Tulsa, OK.