Moving from Kent, WA to Tulsa, OK
A 1990 mi cross-country move between Kent and Tulsa is 34h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1990 mi Β· 34h 15m by car Β· OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Denver, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.7% moving from Kent 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 $656,314 in Kent to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 19.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5Β°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA 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: KENT, WA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 19.7% less than Kent at the median β $90,416 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 Washington 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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
How far is Tulsa, OK from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1990 mi and the route typically takes 34h 15m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $656,314 in Kent β a 66.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $90,416 in Kent β a 35.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1990 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 Tulsa compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 19.7% lower than Kent (89.214 vs 111.133, 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Tulsa, OK.