Moving from Springfield, MO to Tulsa, OK
Moving from Springfield, MO to Tulsa, OK covers 178 mi and about 3h 16m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
178 mi Β· 3h 16m by car Β· OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, OK 66, US 412 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Springfield (88.585) and Tulsa (89.214) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Tulsa ZHVI at $217,450 is 0.7% below Springfield at $242,870.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 41.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tulsa is 0.7% above Springfield ($45,984 vs $58,407, ACS 5-year 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 Missouri 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.
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.
- 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 much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 10.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 178 mi and the route typically takes 3h 16m via I 44 and OK 66. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 27.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 178 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 0.7% higher than Springfield (89.214 vs 88.585, 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Tulsa, OK.