Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Tulsa, OK
Relocating 1304 mi from West Palm Beach to Tulsa is a 24h 18m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1304 mi Β· 24h 18m by car Β· OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, US 280 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Tulsa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 21.8% cheaper overall price level β 114.155 β 89.214 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Tulsa +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 41.0" |
Expect 14.5Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Tulsa gets around 8.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, TULSA INTL AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 412,322 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $58,407 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 20.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.41 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 21.8% lower in Tulsa than West Palm Beach.
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 Florida 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- 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 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β 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
How far is Tulsa, OK from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1304 mi and the route typically takes 24h 18m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tulsa compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $217,450 in Tulsa vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 45.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tulsa more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tulsa is 21.8% lower than West Palm Beach (89.214 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Tulsa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1304 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Tulsa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,407 in Tulsa vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 15.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tulsa compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Tulsa, OK.