Moving from Little Rock, AR to Tulsa, OK
Moving from Little Rock, AR to Tulsa, OK covers 268 mi and about 4h 38m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
268 mi · 4h 38m by car · OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, OK 351, OK 51 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tulsa and Little Rock is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Little Rock and Tulsa are within 5% of each other ($216,519 vs $217,450 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (61.7°F) and Tulsa (61.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.41 |
Median household incomes in Little Rock ($60,583) and Tulsa ($58,407) are within a few percent (ACS 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 Arkansas 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 much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 0.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 50.4 in.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 3.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 268 mi and the route typically takes 4h 38m via I 40 and OK 351. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock 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 268 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 Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 0.2% lower than Little Rock (89.214 vs 89.364, 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 Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Tulsa, OK.