Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Oklahoma City, OK
It is 1332 mi between Costa Mesa and Oklahoma City β roughly 23h 1m 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.
1332 mi Β· 23h 1m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.4% cheaper overall price level β 113.566 β 90.408 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 36.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Oklahoma City gets around 6.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.5 |
Oklahoma City households earn about 20.4% less than Costa Mesa at the median β $110,073 β $66,702 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93Β°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
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 85.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 39.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 20.4% lower than Costa Mesa (90.408 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1332 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1332 mi and the route typically takes 23h 1m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Oklahoma City, OK.