Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Tulsa, OK
It is 1327 mi between Virginia Beach and Tulsa — roughly 23h 57m 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.
1327 mi · 23h 57m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.9% cheaper overall in Tulsa than Virginia Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 41.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.41 |
Tulsa households earn about 8.9% less than Virginia Beach at the median — $90,685 → $58,407 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tulsa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tulsa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tulsa more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 8.9% lower than Virginia Beach (89.214 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 1327 mi and the route typically takes 23h 57m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 49.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1327 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 46.6 in.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 35.6% lower 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Tulsa, OK.