Moving from Tulsa, OK to Oklahoma City, OK
It is a 111 mi drive, roughly 1h 59m, between Tulsa, OK and Oklahoma City, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
111 mi · 1h 59m by car · OK
Distance & route
| Route through | OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, OK 66, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Oklahoma City | 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 |
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 stays roughly flat moving from Tulsa to Oklahoma City — $217,450 vs $206,713 (2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 36.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Oklahoma City gets around 6.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.5 |
Households in Oklahoma City earn about 1.3% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City 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
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City 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 far is Oklahoma City, OK from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 1h 59m via I 44 and OK 66. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City 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 much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 4.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 14.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 41.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Oklahoma City, OK.