Moving from Newport News, VA to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 1290 mi from Newport News to Tulsa is a 23h 10m drive through 4 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.
1290 mi Β· 23h 10m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.9% moving from Newport News to Tulsa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $290,660 in Newport News to $217,450 in Tulsa, a 8.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 41.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°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: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.41 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.9% lower in Tulsa than Newport News.
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 Virginia 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 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
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1290 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 Newport News vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 12.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 25.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 8.9% lower than Newport News (89.214 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 1290 mi and the route typically takes 23h 10m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Tulsa, OK.