Moving from Overland Park, KS to Tulsa, OK
It is a 239 mi drive, roughly 4h 24m, between Overland Park, KS 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.
239 mi · 4h 24m by car · OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 44, US 160 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Independence, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overland Park and Tulsa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $482,295 in Overland Park to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 3.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 6.2°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 3.6% less than Overland Park at the median — $103,838 → $58,407 on 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 Kansas 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
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (6.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park 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 239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 43.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 3.6% lower than Overland Park (89.214 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 239 mi and the route typically takes 4h 24m via US 69 and I 44. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 54.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Tulsa, OK.