Moving from Richmond, CA to Tulsa, OK
It is 1738 mi and 30h 22m from Richmond to Tulsa — a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1738 mi · 30h 22m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in Richmond to 89.214 in Tulsa, a 22.8% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $606,427 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 41.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.8°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: RICHMOND, CA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.8% — $90,038 → $58,407 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- 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
- 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 does the job market in Tulsa compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 1738 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 22.8% lower than Richmond (89.214 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 35.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 64.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 58.8°F in Richmond (2.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 24.4 in.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 1738 mi and the route typically takes 30h 22m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 5 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Tulsa, OK.