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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From Oklahoma to New York: How Different Life Actually Is on the Other Side
Trading the wide open plains of Oklahoma for the towering skyline of New York is one of the more dramatic relocations you can make within the United States. The culture shock alone is enough to catch most movers off guard, as the laid back pace of Tulsa or Oklahoma City gives way to the relentless energy of a state where the city truly never sleeps. Beyond the obvious lifestyle differences, the financial realities hit hard too, with New York's cost of living dwarfing what most Oklahomans are used to paying for housing, taxes, and daily expenses. Our Snappy Scout team (Shana & Alexa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Route from Oklahoma to New York
Average distance
1,550miles
Typical route
I-44 E, I-70 E, I-76 E, I-78 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Oklahoma City, OK → New York City, NY
~1550 miles
Tulsa, OK → New York City, NY
~1450 miles
Norman, OK → Buffalo, NY
~1500 miles
Broken Arrow, OK → Albany, NY
~1450 miles
Lawton, OK → Rochester, NY
~1600 miles
Should You Move From Oklahoma to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York 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.
How Much Do Long-Distance Movers Bill from Oklahoma to New York?
Moving 1,550 miles from Oklahoma to New York 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
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
What Kind of Person Succeeds After Moving from Oklahoma to New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Minimalist, Coffee Snob, or Binge Shopper, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Retired Military, or Retired Snowbird, 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 New York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from OK to NY
Minimalism
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
New York
8
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Clean lines meet sprawl, Plaza District apartments
New York
Gaining
High Line zen, Muji vibes, tiny space mastery
Recommended NY cities/areas for Minimalists
Long Island CityBattery Park CityWilliamsburg
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
New York
8
/10
Coffee Culture
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Elemental espresso shots, Topeca roasts, Hoboken pour overs
New York
Gaining
Third wave temples, Devocion to Joe Coffee pilgrimages
Recommended NY cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
WilliamsburgSoHoRochester
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Shopping
Oklahoma
6
/10
New York
7.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Penn Square splurges, Utica Square strolls, Quail Springs weekends
New York
Gaining
Saks to Supreme, sample sales, Broadway window temptation
Recommended NY cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Fifth AvenueSoHoWoodbury Common
Oklahoma
6
/10
New York
7.5
/10
Homesteading
Oklahoma
9
/10
New York
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Acreage, chicken coops, OSU Extension knows every seed
New York
Gaining
Acreage exists, winters bite, Ithaca Tractor Supply runs
Recommended NY cities/areas for Homesteaders
Finger LakesCatskillsSt. Lawrence County
Oklahoma
9
/10
New York
4.5
/10
Military Culture
Oklahoma
9
/10
New York
6
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Fort Sill camaraderie, Tinker AFB support, Thunder nights
New York
Gaining
Fort Drum access, West Point pride, Griffiss services
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Militaries
WatertownWest PointRome
Oklahoma
9
/10
New York
6
/10
Snowbirds
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Mildish winters, Medicine Park charm, not exactly Scottsdale sun
New York
Gaining
Lovely summers, but lake effect and nor'easters chase you
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Long BeachBrighton BeachStaten Island
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Oklahoma and living in New York
OklahomaNew York
How the Dining Scene Looks Different When You Move from Oklahoma to New York
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 New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertThe No-Nonsense Tax Picture of Moving from Oklahoma to New York
Oklahoma
New York
OklahomavsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLow statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
The Honest Cultural, Political, & Religious Comparison: Oklahoma vs New York
Oklahoma
New York
OklahomavsNew York
People
PeoplePlainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Oklahoma vs New York: Weather How It Stacks Up
SUMMER
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
