Moving from Des Moines, IA to Tulsa, OK
It is a 454 mi drive, roughly 8h 18m, between Des Moines, IA and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
454 mi · 8h 18m by car · OK → MO → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, MO 110, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Des Moines 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 for Tulsa ($217,450) sits close to Des Moines ($208,166) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 10.4°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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 2.7% less at the median — 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 Iowa 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.4°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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 2.7% lower than Des Moines (89.214 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 4.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 454 mi and the route typically takes 8h 18m via I 35 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (10.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 36.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 454 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Tulsa, OK.