Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 518 mi from Sugar Land to Tulsa is a 9h 28m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
518 mi · 9h 28m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.5% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Sugar Land on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 41.0" |
Expect 9.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.5% — $137,511 → $58,407 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
How far is Tulsa, OK from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 518 mi and the route typically takes 9h 28m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land 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 518 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 57.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 9.5% lower than Sugar Land (89.214 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 51.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (9.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 51.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Tulsa, OK.