Moving from Allentown, PA to Tulsa, OK
The drive from Allentown, PA to Tulsa, OK runs 1255 mi — about 23h 37m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1255 mi · 23h 37m by car · OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 76 |
| 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
| Allentown | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tulsa are 10.8% below Allentown — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tulsa typical home at $217,450 is 10.8% under Allentown at $309,699 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 41.0" |
Climate warms by 8.2°F on the annual average — 53.1°F → 61.3°F.
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.41 |
Income steps up 10.8%: $53,403 in Allentown vs $58,407 in Tulsa.
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 Pennsylvania 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
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 9.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1255 mi and the route typically takes 23h 37m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 10.8% lower than Allentown (89.214 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Allentown 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 1255 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 53.1°F in Allentown (8.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 47.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 29.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Tulsa, OK.