Moving from St. Louis, MO to Oklahoma City, OK
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Oklahoma City, OK covers 496 mi and about 8h 55m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
496 mi Β· 8h 55m by car Β· OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, OK 66, US 412 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Oklahoma City and St. Louis are close on the overall BEA RPP (95.088 vs 90.408); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 36.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.0Β°F vs 60.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 6.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Oklahoma City is 4.9% above St. Louis ($55,279 vs $66,702, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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 Oklahoma City average 93Β°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 the job market in Oklahoma City compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 4.9% lower than St. Louis (90.408 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 496 mi and the route typically takes 8h 55m via I 44 and OK 66. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 20.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 496 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Oklahoma City, OK.