Florida Local Expert
Vanessa Leikvoll
“She fosters dogs but answers to the two parakeets who clearly run her house.”
See full bio
FL to OK Relocation: Is This Move Right for Your Personality?
Trading white sand beaches and ocean breezes for red dirt roads and wide open plains is a trade-off that catches plenty of Florida transplants off guard. Oklahoma offers a quieter, more grounded pace of life, but the shift from saltwater air and year-round sunshine to tornado seasons and bitter winters is a bigger lifestyle adjustment than most people anticipate. Our Snappy Scout team (Vanessa & Shana) broke down the costs, logistics, and day to day changes you need to think through before you load up the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
How Far Are You Actually Moving from Florida to OK?
Average distance
1,150miles
Typical route
The most common driving route from Florida to Oklahoma typically follows I-10 West across the Florida Panhandle and into Louisiana, then connects to I-49 North or I-20 West before picking up I-35 North into Oklahoma.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Miami, FL → Oklahoma City, OK
~1400 miles
Orlando, FL → Oklahoma City, OK
~1200 miles
Jacksonville, FL → Tulsa, OK
~1050 miles
Tampa, FL → Oklahoma City, OK
~1150 miles
Tallahassee, FL → Tulsa, OK
~950 miles
The Full Cost of a Florida to OK Relocation
Moving 1,150 miles from Florida to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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.
Who Finds Their People After Moving from Florida to OK?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Military, Cowboy, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to Oklahoma. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Dog Momma, 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 Florida to Oklahoma.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from FL to OK
Military Culture
Florida
5
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Florida
Giving up
Strong bases, beaches, and VA care make it feel like home.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Fort Sill camaraderie, Tinker AFB support, Thunder nights
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Militaries
LawtonMidwest City
Florida
5
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Cowboys
Florida
6.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Stockyards City rodeos, Guymon Pioneer Days, prairie sunsets
Recommended OK cities/areas for Cowboys
Oklahoma CityGuymonWoodward
Florida
6.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Hipsters
Florida
5
/10
Oklahoma
7.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Art murals pop, but ironic beards wilt in the humidity.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Cain's Ballroom concerts, Plaza Walls murals, First Friday Art Crawl
Recommended OK cities/areas for Hipsters
Tulsa Arts DistrictPlaza DistrictPaseo
Florida
5
/10
Oklahoma
7.5
/10
Beach Culture
Florida
10
/10
Oklahoma
3
/10
Florida
Giving up
Year-round surf, sand, and Margaritaville moods everywhere you go.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Grand Lake coves, Blue Whale selfies, still no surf
Recommended OK cities/areas for Beach Bums
Grand LakeMedicine ParkLake Eufaula
Florida
10
/10
Oklahoma
3
/10
Snowbirds
Florida
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Mildish winters, Medicine Park charm, not exactly Scottsdale sun
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
LawtonDuncanArdmore
Florida
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Pet Friendly
Florida
9
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Florida
Giving up
Beach dog parks, pup patios, dog-friendly bars, and sunshine walks galore.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Lake Hefner trails, Gathering Place lawns, Midtown patios
Recommended OK cities/areas for Dog Mommas
Oklahoma CityTulsaNorman
Florida
9
/10
Oklahoma
8
/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 Florida and living in Oklahoma
FloridaOklahoma
How People Actually Eat in Florida and OK
Eating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida 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 ExpertIs OK a Smarter State for Your Tax Wallet?
Florida
Oklahoma
FloridavsOklahoma
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
VS
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
VS
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Florida vs OK: The People, the Politics, & the Faith
Florida
Oklahoma
FloridavsOklahoma
People
PeopleFriendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
VS
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Politics
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
VS
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
VS
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Seasons in Florida vs OK: A Local's No-Nonsense Opinion
SUMMER
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
WINTER
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
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 Florida, 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.
