Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Tulsa, OK
It is a 111 mi drive, roughly 1h 59m, between Oklahoma City, OK and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
111 mi · 1h 59m by car · OK
Distance & route
| Route through | OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, OK 66, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.408 vs 89.214 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.3% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Oklahoma City (60.1°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: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 1.3% less 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.
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.
Frequently asked
Is Tulsa more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 1.3% lower than Oklahoma City (89.214 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 5.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 36.4 in.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 12.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 1h 59m via I 44 and OK 66. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Tulsa, OK.