Moving from Worcester, MA to Tulsa, OK
It is 1531 mi and 28h 38m from Worcester to Tulsa — a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1531 mi · 28h 38m by car · OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis, Dayton, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Worcester | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.0% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Worcester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 41.0" |
Expect 13.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.41 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.0% lower in Tulsa than Worcester.
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 Massachusetts 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Tulsa, OK from Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 1531 mi and the route typically takes 28h 38m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Worcester and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 48.1°F in Worcester (13.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 72.9 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 48.3 in.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 13.0% lower than Worcester (89.214 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 49.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 13.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Worcester 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 1531 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 Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · Tulsa, OK.