Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Tulsa, OK
It is 681 mi between Colorado Springs and Tulsa — roughly 12h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
681 mi · 12h 3m by car · CO → KS → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 135, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Wichita, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.4% moving from Colorado Springs to Tulsa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $449,452 in Colorado Springs to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 11.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 10.8°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
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: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 11.4% less than Colorado Springs at the median — $83,198 → $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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Colorado Springs vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 29.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 11.4% lower than Colorado Springs (89.214 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 681 mi and the route typically takes 12h 3m via I 70 and I 135. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs 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 681 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (10.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 15.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 51.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Tulsa, OK.