Moving from Lincoln, NE to Tulsa, OK
It is a 388 mi drive, roughly 7h 56m, between Lincoln, NE 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.
388 mi · 7h 56m by car · OK → KS → NE
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS → NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, N-2, N-43 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Topeka |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.581 vs 89.214 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $291,062 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 9.0°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 2.6% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Nebraska 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
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 25.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 2.6% lower than Lincoln (89.214 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln 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 388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (9.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 29.3 in.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 388 mi and the route typically takes 7h 56m via US 75 and N-2. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 16.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Tulsa, OK.