Moving from Tulsa, OK to San Antonio, TX
A move from Tulsa, OK to San Antonio, TX covers 535 mi and around 9h 50m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
535 mi · 9h 50m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 75, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Antonio is 6.2% higher than Tulsa, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Antonio is 6.2% above Tulsa ($249,810 vs $217,450 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 34.0" |
San Antonio runs 7.7°F warmer on the annual average (61.3°F vs 69.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
San Antonio 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, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.66 |
Median household income in San Antonio is 6.2% above Tulsa ($58,407 → $62,917, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
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 San Antonio average 94°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 San Antonio compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 14.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 535 mi and the route typically takes 9h 50m via I 35 and US 75. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 6.2% higher than Tulsa (94.716 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 535 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 San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (7.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 41.0 in.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 7.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · San Antonio, TX.