Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Norman, OK
Cross-country relocations like Santa Rosa, CA → Norman, OK cover 1696 mi and about 29h 58m 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.
1696 mi · 29h 58m 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 | Vallejo, Richmond, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Norman is 16.1% cheaper than Santa Rosa overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Norman is 16.1% below Santa Rosa — $718,726 vs $262,839 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 37.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Rosa (59.0°F) and Norman (60.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norman averages 4.1 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: SANTA ROSA, CA US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.5 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.1% between Santa Rosa and Norman (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
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 Norman average 93°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 household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 33.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1696 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (1.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 31.5 in.
How far is Norman, OK from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 1696 mi and the route typically takes 29h 58m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Norman more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 16.1% lower than Santa Rosa (90.408 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 63.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Norman, OK.