Moving from Dayton, OH to Tulsa, OK
It is 743 mi between Dayton and Tulsa — roughly 13h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
743 mi · 13h 47m by car · OK → MO → IL → IN → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL → IN → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dayton | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.694 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.388 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 72.712 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Dayton and Tulsa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $136,592 in Dayton to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 3.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Dayton +1.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dayton | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.3" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 8.0°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: DAYTON MCD, OH US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dayton | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 3.8% more than Dayton at the median — $43,454 → $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 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 — 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 Dayton vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $43,454 in Dayton — a 34.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Dayton and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 53.3°F in Dayton (8.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 12.3 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 41.7 in.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Dayton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 3.8% lower than Dayton (89.214 vs 92.694, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Dayton, OH?
The driving distance is 743 mi and the route typically takes 13h 47m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Dayton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $136,592 in Dayton — a 59.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dayton 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 743 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dayton.
City profiles: Dayton, OH · Tulsa, OK.