Moving from Tulsa, OK to Torrance, CA
Relocating 1457 mi from Tulsa to Torrance is a 25h 10m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1457 mi Β· 25h 10m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β 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 | Torrance | 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 Torrance, putting overall prices 27.3% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 27.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $217,450 to $1,124,932 moving to Torrance.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Torrance +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tulsa | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 76Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 13.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Tulsa (61.3Β°F) and Torrance (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, REDONDO BEACH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 143,499 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $113,105 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 34.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.59 |
Expect median household income to rise 27.3% β $58,407 β $113,105 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Torrance 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 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.
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
- Dry climate: Torrance sees only 13.8 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 β 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 Torrance, CA from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1457 mi and the route typically takes 25h 10m 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 Torrance compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,124,932 in Torrance vs $217,450 in Tulsa β a 417.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Torrance more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Torrance is 27.3% higher than Tulsa (113.566 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Torrance compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Torrance 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 Torrance?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,105 in Torrance vs $58,407 in Tulsa β a 93.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Torrance?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1457 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Torrance, CA.