Moving from Tulsa, OK to Alexandria, VA
It is 1234 mi between Tulsa and Alexandria — roughly 22h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1234 mi · 22h 48m by car · OK → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 44, US 48 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Alexandria is 22.0% more expensive than Tulsa on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $217,450 in Tulsa to $676,205 in Alexandria, a 22.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.3°F vs 59.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Alexandria sees 13.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.08 |
Alexandria households earn about 22.0% more than Tulsa at the median — $58,407 → $113,638 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Alexandria more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 22.0% higher than Tulsa (108.884 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1234 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1234 mi and the route typically takes 22h 48m via I 64 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (2.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 41.0 in.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 94.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 211.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Alexandria, VA.