Moving from Long Beach, CA to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 1450 mi from Long Beach to Tulsa is a 25h 3m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1450 mi Β· 25h 3m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Tulsa sits 21.4% cheaper than Long Beach on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $857,861 in Long Beach to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 21.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 41.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 61.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.4% β $83,969 β $58,407 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 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 Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 30.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 74.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 21.4% lower than Long Beach (89.214 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1450 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 1450 mi and the route typically takes 25h 3m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Tulsa, OK.