Moving from Cary, NC to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 1146 mi from Cary to Tulsa is a 20h 42m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1146 mi · 20h 42m by car · OK → AR → TN → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.1% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Cary on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 41.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.1% — $129,399 → $58,407 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 North Carolina 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in 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 much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $626,396 in Cary — a 65.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cary 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 1146 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $129,399 in Cary — a 54.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1146 mi and the route typically takes 20h 42m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 60.1°F in Cary (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 48.3 in.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 9.1% lower than Cary (89.214 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 702,580 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Tulsa, OK.