Moving from Eugene, OR to Tulsa, OK

It is 1982 mi and 34h 50m from Eugene to Tulsa β€” a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.

1982 mi Β· 34h 50m by car Β· OK β†’ KS β†’ CO β†’ WY β†’ UT β†’ ID β†’ OR

COL -12.2% Home values -54.0% Ξ” +8.2Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1982 mi
Drive time
34h 50m
States
7
Fuel (25 mpg)
79 gal
Route throughOK β†’ KS β†’ CO β†’ WY β†’ UT β†’ ID β†’ OR
Primary highwaysI 70, US 40, I 84
Major cities en routeBroken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Centennial, Denver

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

EugeneTulsaU.S. avg
All items (RPP)101.56889.214100.0
Rents102.53173.856100.0
Goods105.26193.778100.0
Services98.3568.235100.0

Moderate COL drop: 12.2% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Eugene on the 2024 BEA RPP.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Eugene β€” typical home
$473,231
Tulsa β€” typical home
$217,450
Eugene β€” typical rent
$1,851/mo
Tulsa β€” typical rent
$1,229/mo

12.2% drop on the typical home value β€” a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.

YoY change: Eugene -0.3%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsEugeneTulsa
Annual avg temperature53Β°F61Β°F
January avg low35Β°F28Β°F
July avg high84Β°F94Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”8.7"
Annual precipitation40.8"41.0"

Expect 8.2Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023EugeneTulsa
Population177,520412,322
Median household income$63,836$58,407
Median age35.435.5
Bachelor's degree or higher23.7%20.8%
Avg household size2.332.41

ACS 2023 shows median household income 12.2% lower in Tulsa than Eugene.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Eugene MSA β€” median wage
$46,620
Tulsa MSA β€” median wage
$43,140
Eugene MSA β€” employment
155,990
Tulsa MSA β€” employment
443,020

Top occupations in Tulsa MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Oregon and Oklahoma

Oregon income tax
9.9% top marginal
Oklahoma income tax
4.75% top marginal

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 β€” 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 β€” check CDOT alerts before departure.
  • I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β€” check WYDOT 511 before departure.
  • I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
  • Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
  • Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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 Tulsa average 94Β°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 β€” 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 Tulsa compare to Eugene?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,620 in the Eugene MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 155,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Eugene vs Tulsa?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $63,836 in Eugene β€” a 8.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How far is Tulsa, OK from Eugene, OR?

The driving distance is 1982 mi and the route typically takes 34h 50m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Eugene 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 1982 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Eugene?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $473,231 in Eugene β€” a 54.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Tulsa more expensive than Eugene?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 12.2% lower than Eugene (89.214 vs 101.568, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Eugene.

City profiles: Eugene, OR Β· Tulsa, OK.

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