Best overall value
Key factors that influence moving costs from Bakersfield to Tulsa
What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Tulsa
Moving from Bakersfield to Tulsa comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Tulsa is generally more expensive than Bakersfield, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Bakersfield | Tulsa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,199 |
| Average home value | $389,732 | $199,876 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,827 | $52,438 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,493 | $2,700 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,940 | $2,850 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.7% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 8.52% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.75% |
- Rent prices in Tulsa are 29% lower than in Bakersfield, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Tulsa.
Home prices in Tulsa are 48.7% lower than in Bakersfield. - Income in Tulsa is 29.0% lower than in Bakersfield, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tulsa include Imperial, Hilti, and QuikTrip.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tulsa, since the cost of living for a single person in Tulsa is 8.3% higher than in Bakersfield. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Tulsa is 58.9% lower than in Bakersfield.
- The unemployment rate in Tulsa is 20.34% lower than in Bakersfield.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tulsa, since the cityโs sales taxes in Tulsa are 3.27% higher than in Bakersfield.
- One perk of moving to Tulsa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 64.29% lower than in Bakersfield.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,249.10 in Tulsa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bakersfield.
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Tulsa
| Tulsa | Bakersfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 413,066 | 909,235 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 39 | 37 |
| Bike friendliness score | 47 | 44 |
| Crime Index | 51.94 | 58.49 |
| Safety Index | 48.06 | 41.51 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Tulsa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 55% less than Bakersfield.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tulsa will be about the same as it currently is in Bakersfield. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Youโll find Tulsa to be about as walkable as Bakersfield. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 39 and 37 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- Tulsa and Bakersfield are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 47 and 44 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Tulsa has a lower crime rate than Bakersfield based on scores of 51.94 and Bakersfield's 58.49, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tulsa than in Bakersfield, based on Tulsaโs safety index of 48.06 versus 41.51 for Bakersfield. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Tulsa and Bakersfield is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Bakersfield vs. Tulsa move
- Weather: Primarily in the spring and early summer months, the city is subjected to severe thunderstorms containing large hail, damaging winds, and, occasionally, tornadoes. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Oklahoma moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Oklahoma does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tulsa. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opting for Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective choice since it comes at no extra expense. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover were to lose or damage a set of fine china weighing 15 pounds, you would only be compensated $9 (60 cents x 15 pounds). If you require coverage for the full value of your items, it is advisable to discuss alternative options with the moving company or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Tulsa
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Oil Capital of the World", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tulsa.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Brookside
- Downtown Tulsa
- Brady Arts District
- Cherry Street
- Kendall-Whittier
Best neighborhoods for families
- South Tulsa
- Maple Ridge
- Florence Park
- Midtown
- Cherry Street
Things to do in Tulsa
After settling into your new Oklahoma home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Tulsa has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Tulsa is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Philbrook Museum of Art, Gilcrease Museum, Woody Guthrie Center, Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, and Vintage Sewing Center And Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Gathering Place, Woodward Park, River Parks, and LaFortune Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an FC Tulsa (USL Championship), Tulsa Oilers (ECHL), Tulsa Drillers (Double-A Central), or Tulsa Athletic (National Premier Soccer League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Tulsa?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Bakersfield to Tulsa. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Bakersfield.
When is the cheapest time to move from Bakersfield to Tulsa?
Because spring and fall moves from Bakersfield to Tulsa are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Bakersfield to Tulsa take?
Covering 1,448 miles, the move from Bakersfield, CA to Tulsa, OK typically takes three to eight days. Some Bakersfield movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inTulsa can help bridge the gap.
