Moving from Tulsa, OK to Cary, NC
It is 1146 mi between Tulsa and Cary — roughly 20h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1146 mi · 20h 42m by car · OK → AR → TN → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.0% above Tulsa — 89.214 → 98.157 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 48.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Cary gets around 4.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.6 |
Cary households earn about 10.0% more than Tulsa at the median — $58,407 → $129,399 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cary MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 188.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 121.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cary, NC from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1146 mi and the route typically takes 20h 42m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1146 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cary more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 10.0% higher than Tulsa (98.157 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 41.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Cary, NC.