Moving from Tulsa, OK to Tempe, AZ
It is 1063 mi between Tulsa and Tempe — roughly 18h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1063 mi · 18h 53m by car · OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, AZ 87 |
| 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 | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.8% above Tulsa — 89.214 → 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 10.5°F moving to Tempe per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 15.8% more than Tulsa at the median — $58,407 → $77,643 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Tempe, AZ from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 1063 mi and the route typically takes 18h 53m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1063 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 Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (10.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 41.0 in.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 115.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 32.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tempe more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 15.8% higher than Tulsa (103.316 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Tempe, AZ.