Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Tulsa, OK
It is 1274 mi between Philadelphia and Tulsa — roughly 23h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1274 mi · 23h 44m by car · PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Tulsa at 89.214 vs Philadelphia at 102.554.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 13.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Philadelphia (57.7°F) and Tulsa (61.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.41 |
Median household incomes in Philadelphia ($60,698) and Tulsa ($58,407) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tulsa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania 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.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tulsa average 94°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 far is Tulsa, OK from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 1274 mi and the route typically takes 23h 44m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1274 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (3.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 50.7 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 3.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 6.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 13.0% lower than Philadelphia (89.214 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Tulsa, OK.