Moving from New Orleans, LA to Tulsa, OK
It is 679 mi between New Orleans and Tulsa — roughly 12h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
679 mi · 12h 48m by car · OK → TX → LA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → LA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 75, US 62 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Shreveport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 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 comes in 3.7% under New Orleans — $242,493 → $217,450 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature drops 9.6°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: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 3.7% more 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 Louisiana 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 does the job market in Tulsa compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 3.7% lower than New Orleans (89.214 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 679 mi and the route typically takes 12h 48m via I 49 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 10.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 5.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans 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 679 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (9.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 60.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Tulsa, OK.