Moving from Cleveland, OH to Tulsa, OK
A move from Cleveland, OH to Tulsa, OK covers 946 mi and around 17h 27m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
946 mi Β· 17h 27m by car Β· OK β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 71 |
| 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
| Cleveland | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 93.923 to 89.214, putting Tulsa roughly 5.0% below Cleveland on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Tulsa: 5.0% above Cleveland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 41.0" |
Tulsa runs 9.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.3Β°F vs 61.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 5.0% above Cleveland ($39,187 vs $58,407, ACS 5-year 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 Ohio 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 Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 5.0% lower than Cleveland (89.214 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 946 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 49.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 88.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 946 mi and the route typically takes 17h 27m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 5 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 Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Tulsa, OK.