Moving from Tulsa, OK to Fairfield, CA
It is 1749 mi and 30h 35m from Tulsa to Fairfield — a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1749 mi · 30h 35m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.214 in Tulsa to 108.479 in Fairfield, putting overall prices 21.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $217,450 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Tulsa (61.3°F) and Fairfield (61.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to rise 21.6% — $58,407 → $102,321 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 41.0 in.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 21.6% higher than Tulsa (108.479 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 180.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1749 mi and the route typically takes 30h 35m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 75.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1749 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Fairfield, CA.