Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Richmond, VA
Relocating 1291 mi from Oklahoma City to Richmond is a 23h 6m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1291 mi · 23h 6m by car · OK → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.2% above Oklahoma City — 90.408 → 97.858 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 45.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.23 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.2% lower in Richmond than Oklahoma City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 8.2% higher than Oklahoma City (97.858 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 78.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richmond, VA from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1291 mi and the route typically takes 23h 6m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1291 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 36.4 in.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 6.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Richmond, VA.