Moving from Tulsa, OK to St. Louis, MO
Relocating between Tulsa, OK and St. Louis, MO is a 388 mi drive β 7h 2m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
388 mi Β· 7h 2m 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, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.6% above Tulsa β 89.214 β 95.088 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tulsa | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 43.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.03 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.6% lower in St. Louis than Tulsa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
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 St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 6.6% higher than Tulsa (95.088 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 388 mi and the route typically takes 7h 2m via I 44 and OK 66. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $58,407 in Tulsa β a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK Β· St. Louis, MO.