Moving from West Covina, CA to Tulsa, OK
It is 1420 mi between West Covina and Tulsa — roughly 24h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1420 mi · 24h 22m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ → 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
| West Covina | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 21.4% cheaper overall price level — 113.566 → 89.214 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 41.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 21.4% less than West Covina at the median — $98,570 → $58,407 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tulsa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tulsa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tulsa more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 21.4% lower than West Covina (89.214 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 74.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1420 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 65.1°F in West Covina (3.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 40.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1420 mi and the route typically takes 24h 22m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 6,185,570 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Tulsa, OK.