Oklahoma Local Expert
Shana Grandstaff
“A D&D regular, she spends weekends painting tiny heroes for epic battles.”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From OKMoving from Oklahoma|To PAMoving to Pennsylvania|Oklahoma → Pennsylvania
Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Move: Pros, Cons & Everything Between
Trading the wide open plains of Oklahoma for the rolling hills and dense forests of Pennsylvania is a bigger lifestyle shift than most people anticipate. The two states sit worlds apart in climate, culture, and cost of living, and the contrast becomes very real once the moving truck pulls away. Oklahomans accustomed to mild winters and wide suburban sprawl will find Pennsylvania offers something entirely different, from its brutal nor'easters to its centuries old small towns packed tightly along winding roads. Our Snappy Scout team (Shana & Alyssa) dug into the costs, logistics, and day to day lifestyle changes you should plan for before you start loading boxes.
Who's Behind This Guide
How Far Are You Actually Moving from OK to Pennsylvania?
Average distance
1,350miles
Typical route
The drive from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania typically takes you along I-44 East through Missouri, then I-70 East through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, before connecting to I-76 East (Pennsylvania Turnpike) into Pennsylvania.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Oklahoma City, OK → Philadelphia, PA
~1400 miles
Tulsa, OK → Pittsburgh, PA
~1200 miles
Oklahoma City, OK → Pittsburgh, PA
~1250 miles
Tulsa, OK → Philadelphia, PA
~1400 miles
Norman, OK → Allentown, PA
~1450 miles
Should You Move From Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Pennsylvania 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 Local Movers Quote from OK to Pennsylvania?
Moving 1,350 miles from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania 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
$1,260.00
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 Struggles After Moving from OK to Pennsylvania?
Well, it depends. If you're a Coffee Snob, Minimalist, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to Pennsylvania. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Retired Military, or Stay at Home Mom, 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 Pennsylvania.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from OK to PA
Coffee Culture
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Elemental espresso shots, Topeca roasts, Hoboken pour overs
Pennsylvania
Gaining
La Colombe flagship, Commonplace roasts, Elixr latte art, Homestead Roasters, Backyard Beans
Recommended PA cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
PhiladelphiaPittsburgh
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
8.5
/10
Minimalism
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Clean lines meet sprawl, Plaza District apartments
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Loft living, SEPTA and Port Authority simplify life
Recommended PA cities/areas for Minimalists
PhiladelphiaPittsburgh
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Gaming
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
OKC eSports events, Free Play arcades, OSU gaming clubs
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Nerd Street events, Replay FX legacy, Oaks Expo cons
Recommended PA cities/areas for Gamers
PhiladelphiaPittsburgh
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Cowboys
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Stockyards City rodeos, Guymon Pioneer Days, prairie sunsets
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth
Recommended PA cities/areas for Cowboys
BloomsburgWashington
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Military Culture
Oklahoma
9
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Fort Sill camaraderie, Tinker AFB support, Thunder nights
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Army War College nearby, strong VA networks in Philly
Recommended PA cities/areas for Retired Militaries
CarlislePhiladelphia
Oklahoma
9
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Playdates at Gathering Place, Edmond splash pads, school spirit
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Parks, library storytimes, Kennywood days, and Wawa bribery
Recommended PA cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Cranberry TownshipWest ChesterDowningtown
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Pennsylvania?
Walking through a farmer's market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh-picked sweet corn and homemade muffins to vintage records and found art represents the diverse communities in PA.
– Alyssa Kruse
Pennsylvania Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Oklahoma and living in Pennsylvania
OklahomaPennsylvania
Forget the Restaurants: Here's How Locals Really Eat in OK and Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertThe No-Nonsense Tax Breakdown of Moving from OK to Pennsylvania
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
OklahomavsPennsylvania
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
VS
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLow statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
VS
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
The Honest People, Politics, & Religion Picture: OK vs Pennsylvania
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
OklahomavsPennsylvania
People
PeoplePlainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
VS
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Politics
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
VS
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
VS
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
How the Weather Compare Between OK and Pennsylvania
SUMMER
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
WINTER
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Pennsylvania
Winter: The smell of snow on the air. Warm cozy fires. Christkindle Markets.
Spring: Blooming daffodils and tulips. Hiking through the waking woods. Rainy days, reading inside.
Summer: Farmer's markets, outdoor music, small town art shows, festivals every weekend.
Fall: Gorgeous foliage, coffeehouse tours, Halloween parades
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Pennsylvania local experts.
