Moving from Durham, NC to Tulsa, OK
It is 1130 mi between Durham and Tulsa β roughly 20h 19m 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.
1130 mi Β· 20h 19m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.6% moving from Durham to Tulsa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,395 in Durham to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 8.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 41.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.4Β°F vs 61.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: DURHAM, NC US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 8.6% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 β $58,407 on 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 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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 8.6% lower than Durham (89.214 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $396,395 in Durham β a 45.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1130 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $79,234 in Durham β a 26.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 1130 mi and the route typically takes 20h 19m via I 40 and I 81. 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Tulsa, OK.