Moving from Tulsa, OK to Houston, TX
Relocating between Tulsa, OK and Houston, TX is a 497 mi drive — 9h 4m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
497 mi · 9h 4m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Pasadena, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.6% above Tulsa — 89.214 → 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 54.1" |
Expect 9.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.6% higher in Houston than Tulsa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (9.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 41.0 in.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 7.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 497 mi and the route typically takes 9h 4m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 10.6% higher than Tulsa (98.629 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 21.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 497 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 · Houston, TX.