Moving from North Charleston, SC to Tulsa, OK
A move from North Charleston, SC to Tulsa, OK covers 1065 mi and around 19h 22m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1065 mi · 19h 22m by car · OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Tulsa is 11.6% cheaper than North Charleston overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tulsa is 11.6% below North Charleston — $309,522 vs $217,450 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | North Charleston | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 41.0" |
Tulsa is 5.2°F cooler on the annual average (66.5°F vs 61.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 11.6% below North Charleston ($62,789 → $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 South Carolina 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 11.6% lower than North Charleston (89.214 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $309,522 in North Charleston — a 29.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $62,789 in North Charleston — a 7.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between North Charleston and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 66.5°F in North Charleston (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.3 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 52.5 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tulsa, OK from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1065 mi and the route typically takes 19h 22m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston 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 1065 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC · Tulsa, OK.