Moving from Tulsa, OK to Palmdale, CA
It is 1407 mi between Tulsa and Palmdale — roughly 24h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1407 mi · 24h 20m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.214 in Tulsa to 113.566 in Palmdale, putting overall prices 27.3% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 27.3% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $217,450 to $501,257 moving to Palmdale.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 7.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Tulsa (61.3°F) and Palmdale (63.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.56 |
Palmdale households earn about 27.3% more than Tulsa at the median — $58,407 → $81,151 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 38.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1407 mi and the route typically takes 24h 20m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 130.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 41.0 in.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 27.3% higher than Tulsa (113.566 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1407 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 · Palmdale, CA.