Moving from Tulsa, OK to Dallas, TX
Moving from Tulsa, OK to Dallas, TX covers 262 mi and about 4h 56m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
262 mi · 4h 56m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, OK 375 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.6% pricier overall in Dallas than Tulsa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Dallas typical home at $309,421 is 15.6% above Tulsa at $217,450 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 38.3" |
Dallas runs 6.7°F warmer on the annual average (61.3°F vs 68.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Dallas is 15.6% above Tulsa ($58,407 → $67,760, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Dallas average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (6.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 41.0 in.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 16.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 15.6% higher than Tulsa (103.09 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dallas, TX from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 262 mi and the route typically takes 4h 56m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 42.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 262 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Dallas, TX.