Moving from Tulsa, OK to High Point, NC
Relocating 1070 mi from Tulsa to High Point is a 19h 10m drive through 5 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.
1070 mi · 19h 10m by car · OK → AR → TN → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | High Point | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.1% above Tulsa — $217,450 → $249,821 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 48.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: High Point gets around 1.9 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.56 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in High Point MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in High Point compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in High Point compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 14.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is High Point, NC from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1070 mi and the route typically takes 19h 10m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is High Point more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 4.1% higher than Tulsa (92.865 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and High Point?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in High Point vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (0.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 41.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to High Point?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1070 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 · High Point, NC.