Moving from Austin, TX to Tulsa, OK
It is a 454 mi drive, roughly 8h 18m, between Austin, TX and Tulsa, 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.
454 mi · 8h 18m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, I 35, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Tulsa at 89.214 vs Austin at 98.066.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $508,530 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature drops 8.7°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Tulsa averages 8.7 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: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 9.0% less than Austin at the median — $91,461 → $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 — 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 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 Austin vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $91,461 in Austin — a 36.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 454 mi and the route typically takes 8h 18m via US 75 and I 35. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 454 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 9.0% lower than Austin (89.214 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $508,530 in Austin — a 57.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 70.0°F in Austin (8.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 36.3 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,235,440 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 Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Tulsa, OK.