Moving from Tacoma, WA to Broken Arrow, OK
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Broken Arrow, OK cover 2016 mi and about 34h 42m of driving through 8 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.
2016 mi Β· 34h 42m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Broken Arrow is 19.7% cheaper than Tacoma overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Broken Arrow is 19.7% below Tacoma β $493,840 vs $286,846 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | β |
Climate warms by 6.3Β°F on the annual average β 53.7Β°F β 60.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.66 |
Median household incomes in Tacoma ($83,857) and Broken Arrow ($85,220) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Broken Arrow 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
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 19.7% lower than Tacoma (89.214 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2016 mi and the route typically takes 34h 42m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 1.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Broken Arrow, OK.