Oklahoma Local Expert
Shana Grandstaff
“I’ve been living life in Oklahoma for 43 straight years, collecting local shortcuts and moving stories along the way. I’ve…”
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OK to FL Relocation: The Price Tag Most People Don't Expect
Two southern states, one big change. Oklahoma and Florida may share a warm climate and a no state income tax perk, but trading the Great Plains for the Sunshine State brings more surprises than most people expect. The wide open spaces and lower cost of living in Oklahoma feel worlds apart from Florida's coastal energy, packed metro areas, and year round humidity that takes on a whole new meaning. Our Snappy Scout team (Shana & Vanessa) dug into the real costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before loading up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Drive from OK to FL: What to Know
Average distance
1,050miles
Typical route
The drive from Oklahoma to Florida typically follows I-40 East to I-20 East, then connects to I-10 East heading into the Florida Panhandle, or I-75 South for destinations in central and south Florida.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Oklahoma City, OK → Jacksonville, FL
~1050 miles
Tulsa, OK → Orlando, FL
~1150 miles
Oklahoma City, OK → Tampa, FL
~1100 miles
Norman, OK → Miami, FL
~1350 miles
Broken Arrow, OK → Tallahassee, FL
~950 miles
Should You Move From Oklahoma to Florida Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida from Oklahoma 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.
OK to FL Moving Cost Snapshot
Moving 1,050 miles from Oklahoma to Florida 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
$1,290.00
1 Bedroom
$1,900.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,130.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,540.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,520.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,250.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,290.00 | 300 | $4.3 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,900.00 | 450 | $4.22 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,130.00 | 750 | $4.17 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,540.00 | 1,100 | $4.13 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,520.00 | 1,600 | $4.08 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,250.00 | 1,800 | $4.03 |
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.
How Will Your Current OK Lifestyle Fit in FL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Yoga Instructor, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Stay at Home Mom, Homesteader, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 Oklahoma to Florida.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from OK to FL
Surfing
Oklahoma
3.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Closest waves are wind chop at Lake Hefner or Keystone
Florida
Gaining
Ron Jon Surf Shop was practically built for you
Recommended FL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Cocoa BeachNew Smyrna Beach
Oklahoma
3.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Yoga
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Florida
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Sunrise flows at Scissortail Park and Turkey Mountain
Florida
Gaining
Beach sunrise flows to start the day. You don't need an indoor gym for hot yoga!
Recommended FL cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Florida
8.5
/10
Foodies
Oklahoma
8
/10
Florida
9
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Nonesuch tasting menus, Mother Road Market grazing, Cattlemen's steaks
Florida
Gaining
Key lime pie, stone crab claws, and Latin fusion delights.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Foodies
TampaKey WestMiamiSt. Augustine
Oklahoma
8
/10
Florida
9
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Playdates at Gathering Place, Edmond splash pads, school spirit
Florida
Gaining
Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
WellingtonWestonWindermere
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Homesteading
Oklahoma
9
/10
Florida
6
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Acreage, chicken coops, OSU Extension knows every seed
Florida
Gaining
Growing mangoes beats corn, but hurricanes test your grit.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Homesteaders
North PortDeLandSebring
Oklahoma
9
/10
Florida
6
/10
Gardener
Oklahoma
7
/10
Florida
5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Philbrook gardens strolls, Myriad Botanical Gardens workshops
Florida
Gaining
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Mount DoraWinter ParkSarasota
Oklahoma
7
/10
Florida
5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Florida?
All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
– Vanessa Leikvoll
Florida Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Oklahoma and living in Florida
OklahomaFlorida
OK to FL: A Foodie's Guide to the Food Scene
Eating 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 ExpertEating 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 ExpertThe Straight Tax Difference of Moving to FL from OK
Oklahoma
Florida
OklahomavsFlorida
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLow statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
From OK to FL: How Culture, Politics, & Faith Look Different
Oklahoma
Florida
OklahomavsFlorida
People
PeoplePlainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Seasons in OK vs FL: A Local's Unfiltered Perspective
SUMMER
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
WINTER
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida
I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Florida
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 Oklahoma, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Florida. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Florida local experts.
Moving toSt. Petersburg
Glow Shuffle, IPAs, HOAs, Flood Maps
