Texas Local Expert
Francesca Hernandez-Singer
“I'm a Texas native who somehow lived in 5 countries, 4 states, and 12 cities before admitting that no place…”
Read more about me
Moving from TX to Oklahoma: Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Texas and Oklahoma share a border, a love of wide open land, and a football rivalry that never seems to cool down, but trading one state for the other brings more lifestyle changes than most people anticipate. The sprawling metros and massive highway systems of Texas give way to a quieter, more rural pace in Oklahoma, where the cost of living drops noticeably and the crowds thin out in a hurry. Our Snappy Scout team (Francesca & Shana) dug into the real costs, the logistics, and the day to day differences so you know exactly what to expect before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Drive from TX to OK: What to Expect
Average distance
250miles
Typical route
Driving from Texas to Oklahoma typically takes you along major interstates and US highways connecting the two neighboring states.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Dallas, TX → Oklahoma City, OK
~200 miles
Houston, TX → Oklahoma City, OK
~450 miles
Amarillo, TX → Oklahoma City, OK
~250 miles
Austin, TX → Tulsa, OK
~450 miles
Fort Worth, TX → Tulsa, OK
~250 miles
Should You Move From Texas to Oklahoma Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Oklahoma from Texas 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.
What's the Typical Cost to Relocate from TX to OK?
Moving 250 miles from Texas to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $6,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$6,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,680.00
1 Bedroom
$2,500.00
2 Bedrooms
$4,120.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,990.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,630.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,620.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,680.00 | 300 | $5.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,500.00 | 450 | $5.56 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $4,120.00 | 750 | $5.49 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,990.00 | 1,100 | $5.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,630.00 | 1,600 | $5.39 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,620.00 | 1,800 | $5.34 |
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 Is the TX to OK Move Really For?
Well, it depends. If you're a PTA President, Homesteader, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to Oklahoma. But if you're more of a Surfer Dude 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 Texas to Oklahoma.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TX to OK
PTA Life
Texas
2.5
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Texas
Giving up
Top schools thrive but Texas football's Friday night lights always outshine bake sales
Oklahoma
Gaining
Friday night lights, BOK Center championships, Edmond Santa Fe fundraisers
Recommended OK cities/areas for PTA Presidents
BixbyEdmondYukon
Texas
2.5
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Homesteading
Texas
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Texas
Giving up
Hill Country ranches offer wide open spaces, though heat tests the grit of non-natives
Oklahoma
Gaining
Acreage, chicken coops, OSU Extension knows every seed
Recommended OK cities/areas for Homesteaders
StillwaterGuthrieMcAlester
Texas
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Gaming
Texas
4
/10
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
SXSW Gaming buzz exists, though eSports scene is a bit smaller than California
Oklahoma
Gaining
OKC eSports events, Free Play arcades, OSU gaming clubs
Recommended OK cities/areas for Gamers
Texas
4
/10
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Surfing
Texas
5.5
/10
Oklahoma
3.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
South Padre waves are decent even if they never reach the heights of California curls
Oklahoma
Gaining
Closest waves are wind chop at Lake Hefner or Keystone
Recommended OK cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Oklahoma CityTulsa
Texas
5.5
/10
Oklahoma
3.5
/10
Snowbirds
Texas
6.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
Sun-soaked South Padre rolling sand dune winters and world-class birdwatching at Santa Ana refuge
Oklahoma
Gaining
Mildish winters, Medicine Park charm, not exactly Scottsdale sun
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
LawtonDuncanArdmore
Texas
6.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/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 Texas and living in Oklahoma
TexasOklahoma
How the Way Locals Eat Differs Between TX and OK
Eating Like a Local in Texas
Breakfast tacos are on flour tortillas, BBQ means beef, and the margaritas come with salt on the rim unless you order without.
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas 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 ExpertWhat the Move from TX to OK Costs You for Your Bottom Line
Texas
Oklahoma
TexasvsOklahoma
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, zero percent statewide!!
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
VS
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHouston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
VS
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Gap Between TX and OK
Texas
Oklahoma
TexasvsOklahoma
People
PeopleFamously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
VS
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Politics
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
VS
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
VS
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
TX and OK Residents on the Climate: The Honest Truth
SUMMER
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
WINTER
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
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 Texas, 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
