Moving from Peoria, IL to Tulsa, OK
The drive from Peoria, IL to Tulsa, OK runs 563 mi — about 10h 20m 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.
563 mi · 10h 20m by car · OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, I 155 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tulsa and Peoria is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tulsa is 2.2% above Peoria — $128,838 vs $217,450 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 41.0" |
Climate warms by 8.6°F on the annual average — 52.7°F → 61.3°F.
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: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.41 |
Median household incomes in Peoria ($58,716) and Tulsa ($58,407) are within a few percent (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 Illinois 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
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 2.2% lower than Peoria (89.214 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 563 mi and the route typically takes 10h 20m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 563 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 0.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 52.7°F in Peoria (8.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 37.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 68.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Tulsa, OK.