Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Austin, TX
Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Austin, TX covers 387 mi and about 6h 46m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
387 mi · 6h 46m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.5% pricier overall in Austin than Oklahoma City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 8.5% above Oklahoma City at $206,713 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 9.9°F warmer on the annual average (60.1°F vs 70.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 8.5% above Oklahoma City ($66,702 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 387 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 8.5% higher than Oklahoma City (98.066 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 146.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 37.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (9.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 36.4 in.
How far is Austin, TX from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 387 mi and the route typically takes 6h 46m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Austin, TX.