Moving from Norman, OK to Long Beach, CA
Relocating 1364 mi from Norman to Long Beach is a 23h 47m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1364 mi Β· 23h 47m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach is 25.6% more expensive than Norman on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $262,839 in Norman to $857,861 in Long Beach, a 25.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norman | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to rise 25.6% β $65,060 β $83,969 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $262,839 in Norman β a 226.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $65,060 in Norman β a 29.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Norman to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1364 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 25.6% higher than Norman (113.566 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 1364 mi and the route typically takes 23h 47m via I 40 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK Β· Long Beach, CA.