Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Tulsa, OK
It is 769 mi between Milwaukee and Tulsa — roughly 13h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
769 mi · 13h 59m by car · WI → IL → MO → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → MO → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.0% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Milwaukee on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Milwaukee to Tulsa — $220,137 vs $217,450 (2026-03).
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature rises 13.0°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 8.0% more at the median — 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
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 warmer climate (13.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Tulsa, OK from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 769 mi and the route typically takes 13h 59m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 8.0% lower than Milwaukee (89.214 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 769 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 1.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (13.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 33.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Tulsa, OK.