Moving from San Francisco, CA to Tulsa, OK
Cross-country relocations like San Francisco, CA → Tulsa, OK cover 1784 mi and about 31h 49m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1784 mi · 31h 49m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | 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 |
Overall prices in Tulsa come in 22.8% under San Francisco — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tulsa typical home at $217,450 is 22.8% under San Francisco at $1,356,662 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 41.0" |
Climate warms by 5.1°F on the annual average — 56.2°F → 61.3°F.
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 22.8% between San Francisco and Tulsa (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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (5.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 20.6 in.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 1784 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 58.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 22.8% lower than San Francisco (89.214 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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.
How far is Tulsa, OK from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1784 mi and the route typically takes 31h 49m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 84.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Tulsa, OK.