Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Costa Mesa, CA
It is 1332 mi between Oklahoma City and Costa Mesa β roughly 23h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1332 mi Β· 23h 1m 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, US 66 HIST, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Costa Mesa is 25.6% above Oklahoma City β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
25.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 11.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 35 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.66 |
Costa Mesa households earn about 25.6% more than Oklahoma City at the median β $66,702 β $110,073 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 25.6% higher than Oklahoma City (113.566 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1332 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1332 mi and the route typically takes 23h 1m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 65.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β a 583.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Costa Mesa, CA.