Moving from New York, NY to Tulsa, OK
A move from New York, NY to Tulsa, OK covers 1360 mi and around 25h 28m of driving through 9 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1360 mi · 25h 28m by car · NY → NJ → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 276 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New York | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Tulsa is 20.7% lower than New York — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Tulsa: 20.7% below New York on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: New York +4.5%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New York | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 24.5" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 41.0" |
Tulsa runs 5.8°F warmer on the annual average (55.5°F vs 61.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New York | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $79,713 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 20.7% below New York ($79,713 vs $58,407, 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements 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 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 New York?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 20.7% lower than New York (89.214 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from New York, NY?
The driving distance is 1360 mi and the route typically takes 25h 28m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from New York 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 1360 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 New York?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $812,861 in New York — a 73.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New York vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $79,713 in New York — a 26.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to New York?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $59,390 in the New York MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between New York and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 55.5°F in New York (5.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 24.5 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 47.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New York.
City profiles: New York, NY · Tulsa, OK.