Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to St. Louis, MO
Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to St. Louis, MO covers 496 mi and about 8h 55m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
496 mi Β· 8h 55m by car Β· OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, OK 66, US 412 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.2% pricier overall in St. Louis than Oklahoma City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 43.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.1Β°F vs 58.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 35 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 5.2% below Oklahoma City ($66,702 β $55,279, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 17.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 496 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 5.2% higher than Oklahoma City (95.088 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 496 mi and the route typically takes 8h 55m via I 44 and OK 66. 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 Β· St. Louis, MO.