Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Broken Arrow, OK
It is 1045 mi between Winston-Salem and Broken Arrow β roughly 18h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1045 mi Β· 18h 41m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.1% above Winston-Salem β $264,333 β $286,846 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.66 |
Broken Arrow households earn about 3.1% more than Winston-Salem at the median β $57,673 β $85,220 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Broken Arrow average 94Β°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 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 much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 8.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 3.1% lower than Winston-Salem (89.214 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 47.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1045 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1045 mi and the route typically takes 18h 41m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Broken Arrow, OK.