Moving from Odessa, TX to Tulsa, OK
The drive from Odessa, TX to Tulsa, OK runs 553 mi — about 9h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
553 mi · 9h 56m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 277, TX 70 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman, Abilene, Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Tulsa is 5.0% cheaper than Odessa 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 5.0% below Odessa ($217,450 vs $251,239 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Odessa (64.4°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: ODESSA, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 31 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.0% between Odessa and Tulsa (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 Texas 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 5.0% lower than Odessa (89.214 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 553 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 64.4°F in Odessa (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 12.3 in.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 20.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 553 mi and the route typically takes 9h 56m via I 44 and US 277. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Tulsa, OK.