Moving from Killeen, TX to Tulsa, OK
It is a 412 mi drive, roughly 7h 35m, between Killeen, TX and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
412 mi · 7h 35m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Killeen to Tulsa — $219,957 vs $217,450 (2026-03).
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature drops 5.3°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 30 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.41 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Texas 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.
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.
- 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 2.1% lower than Killeen (89.214 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Killeen 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 412 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 1.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 0.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 412 mi and the route typically takes 7h 35m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 66.6°F in Killeen (5.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 34.8 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Tulsa, OK.