Moving from Meridian, ID to Tulsa, OK
It is 1514 mi and 25h 23m from Meridian to Tulsa — a cross-country move across 6 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.
1514 mi · 25h 23m by car · OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Denver, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.3% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Meridian on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 41.0" |
Expect 8.1°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: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.3% — $98,686 → $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 Idaho 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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.
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.
- 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
Is Tulsa more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 9.3% lower than Meridian (89.214 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 40.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 58.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 53.2°F in Meridian (8.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 11.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Meridian 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 1514 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1514 mi and the route typically takes 25h 23m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 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 Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID · Tulsa, OK.