Key factors that impact the cost of your Columbus to Oklahoma City move
What to know before moving from Columbus to Oklahoma City
Moving from Columbus to Oklahoma City comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Oklahoma City is generally more expensive than Columbus, 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:
Columbus | Oklahoma City | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,100 | $1,249 |
Average home value | $157,861 | $195,949 |
Average income (per capita) | $50,542 | $64,251 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,041 | $2,150 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,834 | $6,520 |
Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 4.4% |
Sales tax | 9.0% | 8.63% |
State income tax | 5.49% | 4.75% |
- Rent prices in Oklahoma City are 14% higher than in Columbus, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Columbus.
Home prices in Oklahoma City are 24.1% higher than in Columbus. - Income in Oklahoma City is 27.1% higher than in Columbus, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Oklahoma City include Hobby Lobby, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, and Accord Human Resources.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Oklahoma City, since the cost of living for a single person in Oklahoma City is 5.3% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Oklahoma City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Oklahoma City is 70.1% higher than in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is 16.98% lower than in Columbus.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Oklahoma City, since the cityโs sales taxes in Oklahoma City are 4.11% lower than in Columbus.
- One perk of moving to Oklahoma City is paying less in state income taxes, which are 13.48% lower than in Columbus.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,160.22 in Oklahoma City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City | Columbus | |
---|---|---|
Population | 681,054 | 206,922 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 2 |
Walkability score | 73 | 25 |
Bike friendliness score | 74 | 31 |
Crime Index | 49.37 | 72.18 |
Safety Index | 50.63 | 27.82 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Oklahoma City is about 229% greater than Columbus, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Oklahoma City offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Oklahoma City has a transit score of 3 out of 10 compared to 2 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Oklahoma City means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Oklahoma City is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 73 out of 100 versus 25 out of 100 in Columbus. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Oklahoma City is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Oklahoma City has a bike-friendliness score of 74 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 31 out of 100.
- Oklahoma City has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 49.37 and Columbus's 72.18, 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 Oklahoma City than in Columbus, based on Oklahoma Cityโs safety index of 50.63 versus 27.82 for Columbus. 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 Oklahoma City and Columbus 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 Columbus vs. Oklahoma City move
- Weather: Oklahoma City has very hot, humid summers, and cool winters with occasional snowfall. Prolonged and severe droughts (sometimes leading to wildfires in the vicinity), as well as very heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding and flooding, occur with some regularity. Oklahoma City is also located in tornado alley. 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 Oklahoma City. 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 Oklahoma City
Now that you've decided to make the move to "OKC", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Oklahoma City.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Bricktown
- Automobile Alley
- Deep Deuce
- The Arts District
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bethany
- Crown Heights/Edgemere Heights
- Edmond
- Mustang
- Nichols Hills
Things to do in Oklahoma City
After settling into your new Oklahoma home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Oklahoma City has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Oklahoma City is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology, and Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Hefner Lake & Park, Wheeler Ferris Wheel, Will Rogers Park, and Martin Park Nature Center 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 Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League), or Oklahoma City Football Club (Women's Premier Soccer League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Oklahoma City?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Columbus to Oklahoma City are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Columbus are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Oklahoma City?
With many people choosing to move from Columbus to Oklahoma City in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Columbus to Oklahoma City take?
Moving from Columbus, GA to Oklahoma City, OK covers 873 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Columbus movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Oklahoma City.