Moving from San Antonio, TX to Tulsa, OK
A move from San Antonio, TX to Tulsa, OK covers 535 mi and around 9h 50m of driving through 2 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.
535 mi · 9h 50m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 75, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Tulsa is 5.8% cheaper than San Antonio overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tulsa is 5.8% below San Antonio ($217,450 vs $249,810 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 41.0" |
Tulsa is 7.7°F cooler on the annual average (69.0°F vs 61.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 5.8% below San Antonio ($62,917 → $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 Texas 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 San Antonio and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (7.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 34.0 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 7.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 5.8% lower than San Antonio (89.214 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 535 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 San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 13.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 535 mi and the route typically takes 9h 50m via I 35 and US 75. The trip crosses 2 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Tulsa, OK.