Moving from Orlando, FL to Tulsa, OK
A move from Orlando, FL to Tulsa, OK covers 1162 mi and around 21h 49m 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.
1162 mi · 21h 49m by car · OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 280 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tulsa are 12.0% below Orlando — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tulsa typical home at $217,450 is 12.0% under Orlando at $374,136 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 41.0" |
Tulsa is 11.7°F cooler on the annual average (73.0°F vs 61.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 12.0% below Orlando ($69,268 → $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 Florida 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 12.0% lower than Orlando (89.214 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 1162 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 15.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 73.0°F in Orlando (11.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 51.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 1162 mi and the route typically takes 21h 49m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 7 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 Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Tulsa, OK.