Moving from Seattle, WA to Tulsa, OK
A 1994 mi cross-country move between Seattle and Tulsa is 34h 13m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
1994 mi · 34h 13m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.7% moving from Seattle to Tulsa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $868,680 in Seattle to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 19.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 8.1°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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 19.7% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
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 Seattle and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 53.2°F in Seattle (8.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 37.8 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1994 mi and the route typically takes 34h 13m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 1994 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 Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 75.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 19.7% lower than Seattle (89.214 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 52.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Tulsa, OK.