Moving from Tulsa, OK to Murfreesboro, TN
The drive from Tulsa, OK to Murfreesboro, TN runs 632 mi — about 11h 7m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
632 mi · 11h 7m by car · OK → AR → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, OK 351, I 840 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 89.214 in Tulsa to 96.338 in Murfreesboro, a 8.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Murfreesboro: 8.0% above Tulsa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 55.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Murfreesboro gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.69 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 8.0% between Tulsa and Murfreesboro (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murfreesboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 151,390 | $44,110 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 122,460 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 97,370 | $30,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 87,620 | $35,950 |
| Management Occupations | 87,180 | $106,770 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Murfreesboro averages 55.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 30.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 8.0% higher than Tulsa (96.338 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 96.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Murfreesboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Murfreesboro?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Murfreesboro vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 55.9 in vs 41.0 in.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 632 mi and the route typically takes 11h 7m via I 40 and OK 351. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Murfreesboro, TN.