Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Glendale, AZ
It is 1003 mi between Oklahoma City and Glendale — roughly 17h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1003 mi · 17h 12m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 17, AZ 89A |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Peoria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.3% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.3% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $206,713 to $407,332 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 8.3" |
Annual temperature rises 11.8°F moving to Glendale per NOAA normals.
Glendale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.88 |
Households in Glendale earn about 14.3% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 5.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1003 mi and the route typically takes 17h 12m via I 40 and I 17. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 97.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Glendale more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 14.3% higher than Oklahoma City (103.316 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (11.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 36.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1003 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 Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Glendale, AZ.