Moving from Reno, NV to Tulsa, OK
A 1729 mi cross-country move between Reno and Tulsa is 29h on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1729 mi · 29h by car · OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Denver, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.7% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Reno on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 6.8°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 11.7% less than Reno at the median — $78,448 → $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 Nevada 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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 Reno and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 54.5°F in Reno (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 8.1 in.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $78,448 in Reno — a 25.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 11.7% lower than Reno (89.214 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Reno 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 1729 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 Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $567,857 in Reno — a 61.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1729 mi and the route typically takes 29h via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 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 Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Tulsa, OK.