Moving from Denver, CO to Tulsa, OK
It is 693 mi between Denver and Tulsa — roughly 11h 47m 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.
693 mi · 11h 47m by car · CO → KS → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 135, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.7% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Denver on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 9.9°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 15.7% less than Denver at the median — $91,681 → $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.
- 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 15.7% lower than Denver (89.214 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 51.4°F in Denver (9.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 15.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 693 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $539,666 in Denver — a 59.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 693 mi and the route typically takes 11h 47m via I 70 and I 135. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $91,681 in Denver — a 36.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,590,330 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Tulsa, OK.