Moving from Arlington, TX to Tulsa, OK
It is a 281 mi drive, roughly 5h 22m, between Arlington, TX and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
281 mi Β· 5h 22m by car Β· OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, US 62 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Tulsa at 89.214 vs Arlington at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $310,971 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature drops 5.5Β°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 13.5% less than Arlington at the median β $73,519 β $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 Texas 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Tulsa average 94Β°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 β 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 Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 13.5% lower than Arlington (89.214 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 20.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 281 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 281 mi and the route typically takes 5h 22m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Tulsa, OK.