Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tulsa, OK
A move from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Tulsa, OK covers 1345 mi and around 25h 4m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1345 mi · 25h 4m by car · OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 280 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Tulsa is 21.8% lower than Fort Lauderdale — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Tulsa: 21.8% below Fort Lauderdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 41.0" |
Major climate step-down: 15.6°F cooler annual average in Tulsa vs Fort Lauderdale.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 21.8% below Fort Lauderdale ($79,935 vs $58,407, 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 Florida 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 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 colder climate (15.6°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Tulsa compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 26.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 21.8% lower than Fort Lauderdale (89.214 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 1345 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (15.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 64.3 in.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1345 mi and the route typically takes 25h 4m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 57.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Tulsa, OK.