Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
CO to OK Relocation: Cost of Living Comparison
Swapping the Rocky Mountains for the rolling plains of Oklahoma is a trade-off that looks simple on paper, but the reality of daily life in the Sooner State tends to catch Colorado transplants off guard. Colorado spoils residents with mild, dry summers and world class ski resorts just a short drive from Denver, while Oklahoma answers back with wide open spaces, a lower cost of living, and a pace of life that feels genuinely unhurried. The two states share a border, but the cultural and climatic gap between them is wider than most people expect before the moving truck pulls away. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Shana) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should know about before you start packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Miles Between CO and Oklahoma
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
I-25 S and I-40 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Oklahoma City, OK
~850 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Tulsa, OK
~800 miles
Pueblo, CO → Oklahoma City, OK
~750 miles
Trinidad, CO → Tulsa, OK
~650 miles
Lamar, CO → Oklahoma City, OK
~500 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Oklahoma Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Oklahoma from Colorado is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
How Much Is Moving to Oklahoma from CO Really Going to Cost?
Moving 650 miles from Colorado to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,480.00
1 Bedroom
$2,190.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,620.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,260.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,570.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,420.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,480.00 | 300 | $4.93 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,190.00 | 450 | $4.87 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,620.00 | 750 | $4.83 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,260.00 | 1,100 | $4.78 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,570.00 | 1,600 | $4.73 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,420.00 | 1,800 | $4.68 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
Will Your Personality Work in Oklahoma?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or PTA President, you'll thrive in your move to Oklahoma. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Coffee Snob, or Wall Street Exec, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Colorado to Oklahoma.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to OK
Cowboys
Colorado
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Stockyards City rodeos, Guymon Pioneer Days, prairie sunsets
Recommended OK cities/areas for Cowboys
Oklahoma CityGuymonWoodward
Colorado
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Snowbirds
Colorado
3
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Mildish winters, Medicine Park charm, not exactly Scottsdale sun
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
LawtonDuncanArdmore
Colorado
3
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
PTA Life
Colorado
6
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Friday night lights, BOK Center championships, Edmond Santa Fe fundraisers
Recommended OK cities/areas for PTA Presidents
BixbyEdmondYukon
Colorado
6
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Clean lines meet sprawl, Plaza District apartments
Recommended OK cities/areas for Minimalists
TulsaOklahoma City
Colorado
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Colorado
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Corvus Coffee and third-wave roasters fuel the scene.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Elemental espresso shots, Topeca roasts, Hoboken pour overs
Recommended OK cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Colorado
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Colorado
5
/10
Oklahoma
3
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Finance jobs exist downtown but lack New York's intensity.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Devon Tower views, energy deals, not Park Avenue speed
Recommended OK cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Oklahoma City
Colorado
5
/10
Oklahoma
3
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Oklahoma?
Being able to see farmland, animals, and open sky from just about anywhere.
– Shana Grandstaff
Oklahoma Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Oklahoma
ColoradoOklahoma
CO vs Oklahoma: What Locals Actually Eat
Eating Like a Local in Colorado
Order cautiously: Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT oysters. They’re bull testicles. But they’re deep-fried, and let’s be honest, anything deep-fried has a fighting chance.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Oklahoma
Our state dish was selected because it is the truth. We eat chicken fried steak, usually served with mashed potatoes and fried okra, and covered in cream gravy.
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertThe Unfiltered Tax Effect of Moving from CO to Oklahoma
Colorado
Oklahoma
ColoradovsOklahoma
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
From CO to Oklahoma: How People, Politics, & Religion Look Different
Colorado
Oklahoma
ColoradovsOklahoma
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Leaving CO Seasons Behind: What Oklahoma Seasons Actually Looks Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Oklahoma
Spring: Seeing tulips, daffodils, and irises emerge as everything becomes green again
Summer: Warm nights looking at the stars while listening to music and drinking iced tea
Fall: Looking at the changing leaves on Turkey Mountain, football gameday energy everywhere you go
Winter: Christmas lights everywhere, especially in small towns on Main Street
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Oklahoma
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Colorado, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Oklahoma. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Oklahoma local experts.
Moving toTulsa
Deco Nights, Tulsa Tough Rides, QuikTrip At 2am
