Moving from El Monte, CA to Broken Arrow, OK

A move from El Monte, CA to Broken Arrow, OK covers 1430 mi and around 24h 38m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

1430 mi Β· 24h 38m by car Β· OK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL -21.4% Home values -62.5% Ξ” -6.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1430 mi
Drive time
24h 38m
States
5
Fuel (25 mpg)
57 gal
Route throughOK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 40, US 66 HIST, I 44
Major cities en routeTulsa, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

El MonteBroken ArrowU.S. avg
All items (RPP)113.56689.214100.0
Rents158.58973.856100.0
Goods106.62393.778100.0
Services170.43368.235100.0

Cost of living in Broken Arrow is 21.4% lower than El Monte β€” the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

El Monte β€” typical home
$765,444
Broken Arrow β€” typical home
$286,846
El Monte β€” typical rent
$2,397/mo
Broken Arrow β€” typical rent
$1,676/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Broken Arrow: 21.4% below El Monte on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsEl MonteBroken Arrow
Annual avg temperature66Β°F60Β°F
January avg low46Β°F26Β°F
July avg high86Β°F94Β°F
Annual snowfall0.0"β€”
Annual precipitation15.7"β€”

Broken Arrow is 6.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.0Β°F vs 60.0Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, BIXBY, OK US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023El MonteBroken Arrow
Population107,066115,919
Median household income$64,484$85,220
Median age38.137
Bachelor's degree or higher11.4%24.5%
Avg household size3.622.66

Median household income in Broken Arrow is 21.4% above El Monte ($64,484 vs $85,220, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

El Monte MSA β€” median wage
$50,490
Broken Arrow MSA β€” median wage
$43,140
El Monte MSA β€” employment
6,185,570
Broken Arrow MSA β€” employment
443,020

Top occupations in Broken Arrow MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 California and Oklahoma

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Oklahoma income tax
4.75% top marginal

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 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

  • 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 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

How far is Broken Arrow, OK from El Monte, CA?

The driving distance is 1430 mi and the route typically takes 24h 38m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to El Monte?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $765,444 in El Monte β€” a 62.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from El Monte to Broken Arrow?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1430 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 Broken Arrow compare to El Monte?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in El Monte vs Broken Arrow?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $64,484 in El Monte β€” a 32.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is Broken Arrow more expensive than El Monte?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 21.4% lower than El Monte (89.214 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.

City profiles: El Monte, CA Β· Broken Arrow, OK.

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