Moving from Memphis, TN to Tulsa, OK
Moving from Memphis, TN to Tulsa, OK covers 402 mi and about 6h 55m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
402 mi · 6h 55m by car · TN → AR → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, OK 351, OK 51 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tulsa and Memphis is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tulsa is 3.2% above Memphis — $144,710 vs $217,450 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Memphis (63.4°F) and Tulsa (61.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 3.2% above Memphis ($51,211 → $58,407, 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 Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 63.4°F in Memphis (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 54.9 in.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 3.2% lower than Memphis (89.214 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 14.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 402 mi and the route typically takes 6h 55m via I 40 and OK 351. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 402 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 Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 50.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Tulsa, OK.