Moving from Tulsa, OK to Plano, TX
It is a 242 mi drive, roughly 4h 39m, between Tulsa, OK and Plano, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
242 mi Β· 4h 39m by car Β· OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, US 62 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.6% above Tulsa β 89.214 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tulsa | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.6 |
Plano households earn about 15.6% more than Tulsa at the median β $58,407 β $108,649 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does the job market in Plano compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Plano more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 15.6% higher than Tulsa (103.09 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $58,407 in Tulsa β a 86.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $217,450 in Tulsa β a 129.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 242 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Plano, TX from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 242 mi and the route typically takes 4h 39m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 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 Β· Plano, TX.