Moving from Houston, TX to Tulsa, OK
Relocating between Houston, TX and Tulsa, OK is a 497 mi drive — 9h 4m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
497 mi · 9h 4m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Pasadena, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.5% moving from Houston to Tulsa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tulsa run about 9.5% cheaper — ZHVI $264,336 → $217,450 (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 41.0" |
Expect 9.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 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: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.41 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.5% lower in Tulsa than Houston.
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 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.
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
How does household income compare in Houston vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $62,894 in Houston — a 7.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 497 mi and the route typically takes 9h 4m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 70.6°F in Houston (9.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 54.1 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 9.5% lower than Houston (89.214 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $264,336 in Houston — a 17.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 497 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Tulsa, OK.