Moving from Waco, TX to Tulsa, OK
It is a 358 mi drive, roughly 6h 44m, between Waco, TX and Tulsa, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
358 mi · 6h 44m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, US 69, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Waco and Tulsa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tulsa run about 3.6% pricier — ZHVI $194,245 → $217,450 (2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 41.0" |
Annual temperature drops 5.3°F moving to Tulsa per NOAA normals.
Expect 8.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.41 |
Households in Tulsa earn about 3.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Texas 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 358 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tulsa, OK from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 358 mi and the route typically takes 6h 44m via US 75 and US 69. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Tulsa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.3°F in Tulsa vs 66.6°F in Waco (5.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.0 in vs 37.5 in.
Is Tulsa more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 3.6% lower than Waco (89.214 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $194,245 in Waco — a 11.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $51,468 in Waco — a 13.5% 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Tulsa, OK.