Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Tulsa, OK
Cross-country relocations like Spokane Valley, WA β Tulsa, OK cover 1773 mi and about 29h 42m of driving through 7 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.
1773 mi Β· 29h 42m by car Β· OK β KS β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β KS β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora, Denver, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Tulsa is 11.1% cheaper than Spokane Valley overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tulsa is 11.1% below Spokane Valley β $408,888 vs $217,450 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 41.0" |
Climate warms by 11.5Β°F on the annual average β 49.8Β°F β 61.3Β°F.
Tulsa averages 8.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.41 |
Income steps down 11.1%: $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $58,407 in Tulsa.
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 Washington 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β 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 Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 17.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 46.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 11.1% lower than Spokane Valley (89.214 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1773 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 1773 mi and the route typically takes 29h 42m via I 90 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 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 Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Tulsa, OK.