Moving from Tulsa, OK to Cleveland, OH
A move from Tulsa, OK to Cleveland, OH covers 946 mi and around 17h 27m of driving through 5 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.
946 mi Β· 17h 27m by car Β· OK β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis, Dayton, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.3% pricier overall in Cleveland than Tulsa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Cleveland typical home at $115,537 is 5.3% under Tulsa at $217,450 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tulsa | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 33.3" |
Cleveland is 9.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (61.3Β°F vs 52.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.18 |
Median household income in Cleveland is 5.3% below Tulsa ($58,407 vs $39,187, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 946 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $58,407 in Tulsa β a 32.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 5.3% higher than Tulsa (93.923 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 946 mi and the route typically takes 17h 27m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $217,450 in Tulsa β a 46.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK Β· Cleveland, OH.