Moving from Springfield, IL to Tulsa, OK
It is a 486 mi drive, roughly 8h 54m, between Springfield, IL and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
486 mi Β· 8h 54m by car Β· OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.745 vs 89.214 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $163,198 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 8.4Β°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 3.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 94Β°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 β 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 household income compare in Springfield vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 3.8% lower than Springfield (89.214 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 33.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 486 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 486 mi and the route typically takes 8h 54m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Tulsa, OK.