Moving from El Paso, TX to Oklahoma City, OK
Relocating 665 mi from El Paso to Oklahoma City is a 12h 32m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
665 mi · 12h 32m by car · OK → TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 70, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.6% under El Paso — $234,775 → $206,713 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 36.4" |
Expect 6.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Oklahoma City gets around 6.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.5 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.6% higher in Oklahoma City than El Paso.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93°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 the job market in Oklahoma City compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 13.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 66.2°F in El Paso (6.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 8.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 12.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 0.6% higher than El Paso (90.408 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 665 mi and the route typically takes 12h 32m via I 40 and US 70. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 665 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Oklahoma City, OK.