Moving from Wichita, KS to Oklahoma City, OK
It is a 161 mi drive, roughly 2h 53m, between Wichita, KS and Oklahoma City, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
161 mi · 2h 53m by car · OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, OK 66 |
| Major cities en route | Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 88.946 vs 90.408 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $202,720 vs $206,713.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wichita | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 36.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Wichita (57.7°F) and Oklahoma City (60.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Oklahoma City averages 6.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.5 |
Households in Oklahoma City earn about 1.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93°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
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $63,072 in Wichita — a 5.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 1.6% higher than Wichita (90.408 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $202,720 in Wichita — a 2.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Wichita and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 57.7°F in Wichita (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 12.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 34.3 in.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 161 mi and the route typically takes 2h 53m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 161 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS · Oklahoma City, OK.