Moving from Modesto, CA to Tulsa, OK
Cross-country relocations like Modesto, CA β Tulsa, OK cover 1655 mi and about 28h 51m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1655 mi Β· 28h 51m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tulsa are 14.3% below Modesto β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tulsa typical home at $217,450 is 14.3% under Modesto at $446,494 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 41.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.1Β°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: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.3% between Modesto and Tulsa (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 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 51.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1655 mi and the route typically takes 28h 51m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1655 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 25.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 14.3% lower than Modesto (89.214 vs 104.108, 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 Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Tulsa, OK.