Moving from Tulsa, OK to Waco, TX
Relocating between Tulsa, OK and Waco, TX is a 358 mi drive — 6h 44m 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.
358 mi · 6h 44m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.7% under Tulsa — $217,450 → $194,245 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 37.5" |
Expect 5.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.7% lower in Waco than Tulsa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Texas
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 — 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 Waco average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 10.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Waco, TX from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 358 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (5.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 41.0 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 3.7% higher than Tulsa (92.55 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 11.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 358 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 125,640 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 · Waco, TX.