Moving from Odessa, TX to Oklahoma City, OK
Relocating between Odessa, TX and Oklahoma City, OK is a 445 mi drive — 8h 3m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
445 mi · 8h 3m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 277, TX 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Abilene, Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Odessa and Oklahoma City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Oklahoma City run about 3.7% cheaper — ZHVI $251,239 → $206,713 (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 36.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.4°F vs 60.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 6.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 31 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.5 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.7% lower in Oklahoma City than Odessa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93°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
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 445 mi and the route typically takes 8h 3m via US 277 and TX 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 64.4°F in Odessa (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 12.3 in.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 3.7% lower than Odessa (90.408 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 17.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 445 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Oklahoma City, OK.