Moving from Tulsa, OK to Richmond, CA
A 1738 mi cross-country move between Tulsa and Richmond is 30h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1738 mi · 30h 22m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| 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 | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Richmond is 29.6% more expensive than Tulsa on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $217,450 in Tulsa to $606,427 in Richmond, a 29.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 24.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.3°F vs 58.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Richmond sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.85 |
Richmond households earn about 29.6% more than Tulsa at the median — $58,407 → $90,038 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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 far is Richmond, CA from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1738 mi and the route typically takes 30h 22m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 54.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 178.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1738 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 Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 41.0 in.
Is Richmond more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 29.6% higher than Tulsa (115.613 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Richmond, CA.