Moving from Tulsa, OK to Norman, OK
Moving from Tulsa, OK to Norman, OK covers 132 mi and about 2h 31m by car through 1 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.
132 mi · 2h 31m by car · OK
Distance & route
| Route through | OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 335, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Norman and Tulsa is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Norman is 1.3% above Tulsa — $217,450 vs $262,839 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 37.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Tulsa (61.3°F) and Norman (60.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norman averages 4.1 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Norman is 1.3% above Tulsa ($58,407 → $65,060, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman 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.
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 Norman average 93°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.
Frequently asked
Is Norman more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 1.3% higher than Tulsa (90.408 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Norman, OK from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 132 mi and the route typically takes 2h 31m via I 44 and I 335. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 20.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 41.0 in.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 11.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 132 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 · Norman, OK.