Moving from Tulsa, OK to Pearland, TX

The drive from Tulsa, OK to Pearland, TX runs 517 mi β€” about 9h 30m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.

517 mi Β· 9h 30m by car Β· OK β†’ TX

COL +10.6% Home values +75.7% Ξ” +10.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
517 mi
Drive time
9h 30m
States
2
Fuel (25 mpg)
21 gal
Route throughOK β†’ TX
Primary highwaysI 45, US 75, US 69
Major cities en routeBroken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Denton

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

TulsaPearlandU.S. avg
All items (RPP)89.21498.629100.0
Rents73.85695.288100.0
Goods93.778100.639100.0
Services68.235104.51100.0

Moderate COL step-up: 10.6% pricier overall in Pearland than Tulsa on the 2024 BEA RPP.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Tulsa β€” typical home
$217,450
Pearland β€” typical home
$382,157
Tulsa β€” typical rent
$1,229/mo
Pearland β€” typical rent
$1,776/mo

Housing gap is large: Pearland typical home at $382,157 is 10.6% above Tulsa at $217,450 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Pearland -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsTulsaPearland
Annual avg temperature61Β°F71Β°F
January avg low28Β°F46Β°F
July avg high94Β°F93Β°F
Annual snowfall8.7"β€”
Annual precipitation41.0"53.3"

Climate warms by 10.0Β°F on the annual average β€” 61.3Β°F β†’ 71.3Β°F.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023TulsaPearland
Population412,322125,983
Median household income$58,407$112,470
Median age35.536.5
Bachelor's degree or higher20.8%29.6%
Avg household size2.412.89

Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.6% between Tulsa and Pearland (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Tulsa MSA β€” median wage
$43,140
Pearland MSA β€” median wage
$46,960
Tulsa MSA β€” employment
443,020
Pearland MSA β€” employment
3,179,460

Top occupations in Pearland MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 387,430 $41,570
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 305,780 $39,450
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 288,170 $27,490
Sales and Related Occupations 269,160 $35,450
Management Occupations 268,670 $109,460

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Oklahoma and Texas

Oklahoma income tax
4.75% top marginal
Texas income tax
no state income tax

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 β€” 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 Pearland average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • Pack rain gear on top: Pearland averages 53.3 in of annual precipitation β€” waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
  • You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
  • 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

Is Pearland more expensive than Tulsa?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pearland is 10.6% higher than Tulsa (98.629 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 Pearland?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 517 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Pearland?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,470 in Pearland vs $58,407 in Tulsa β€” a 92.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Pearland compared to Tulsa?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,157 in Pearland vs $217,450 in Tulsa β€” a 75.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does the job market in Pearland compare to Tulsa?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pearland MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How far is Pearland, TX from Tulsa, OK?

The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 9h 30m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.

City profiles: Tulsa, OK Β· Pearland, TX.

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