Moving from Tulsa, OK to Springfield, MO
Moving from Tulsa, OK to Springfield, MO covers 178 mi and about 3h 16m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
178 mi Β· 3h 16m by car Β· OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, OK 66, US 412 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Tulsa (89.214) and Springfield (88.585) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Springfield at $242,870 is 0.7% above Tulsa at $217,450.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tulsa | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 46.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.13 |
Median household income in Springfield is 0.7% below Tulsa ($58,407 vs $45,984, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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 20β30% 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space 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.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 178 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $217,450 in Tulsa β a 11.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $58,407 in Tulsa β a 21.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, MO from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 178 mi and the route typically takes 3h 16m via I 44 and OK 66. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 0.7% lower than Tulsa (88.585 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK Β· Springfield, MO.