Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 751 mi from Fort Collins to Tulsa is a 12h 48m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
751 mi · 12h 48m by car · OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Denver, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.8% moving from Fort Collins to Tulsa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $563,815 in Fort Collins to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 11.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 41.0" |
Expect 10.6°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.8% — $83,598 → $58,407 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 — 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — 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 94°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 (10.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 the job market in Tulsa compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 61.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 30.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins 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 751 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (10.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 15.9 in.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 11.8% lower than Fort Collins (89.214 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 751 mi and the route typically takes 12h 48m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 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 Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Tulsa, OK.