Moving from St. Louis, MO to Tulsa, OK
It is a 388 mi drive, roughly 7h 2m, between St. Louis, MO and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
388 mi Β· 7h 2m 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, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.2% cheaper overall in Tulsa than St. Louis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 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: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 6.2% more at the median β 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
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tulsa, OK from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 388 mi and the route typically takes 7h 2m 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 St. Louis vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tulsa more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 6.2% lower than St. Louis (89.214 vs 95.088, 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Tulsa, OK.