Moving from Surprise, AZ to Tulsa, OK
It is 1116 mi between Surprise and Tulsa — roughly 19h 7m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1116 mi · 19h 7m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 17, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Tulsa at 89.214 vs Surprise at 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $422,473 to $217,450 moving to Tulsa.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature drops 8.9°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Tulsa averages 8.7 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: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 13.6% less than Surprise at the median — $93,371 → $58,407 on 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 Arizona 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
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
How far is Tulsa, OK from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1116 mi and the route typically takes 19h 7m via I 40 and I 17. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Surprise 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 1116 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 48.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 13.6% lower than Surprise (89.214 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 70.2°F in Surprise (8.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 9.6 in.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 37.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Tulsa, OK.