($1,468) Movers From Baton Rouge, LA to Oklahoma City, OK

What to know before moving from Baton Rouge to Oklahoma City

Moving from Baton Rouge to Oklahoma City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oklahoma City is generally more expensive than Baton Rouge, it’s 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:

• Rent prices are the same in Oklahoma City and Baton Rouge.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Oklahoma City.
  Home prices in Oklahoma City are 8.3% lower than in Baton Rouge.
• Income in Oklahoma City is 6.4% higher than in Baton Rouge, 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 31.3% higher than in Baton Rouge. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re 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 65.4% higher than in Baton Rouge.
• The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is 41.33% lower than in Baton Rouge.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Oklahoma City, since the city’s sales taxes in Oklahoma City are 9.16% lower than in Baton Rouge.
• State income taxes in Oklahoma City are 11.76% higher than in Baton Rouge.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,937.73 in Oklahoma City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Baton Rouge.

How life is different in Baton Rouge vs. Oklahoma City

• The population of Oklahoma City is about 207% greater than Baton Rouge, 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.
• Getting around Oklahoma City without a car might be more difficult than in Baton Rouge. Oklahoma City has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Baton Rouge is ranked 4. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Oklahoma City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Baton Rouge. Oklahoma City is considered more walkable than Baton Rouge, with a score of 73 out of 100 versus 39 out of 100 in Baton Rouge. A city’s 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge is rated as 44 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oklahoma City is higher than in Baton Rouge, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 49.37 in Oklahoma City, it is 2.0 in Baton Rouge. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Oklahoma City than in Baton Rouge, based on Oklahoma City’s safety index of 50.63 versus 30.74 for Baton Rouge. 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC).Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Oklahoma moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Oklahoma doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Oklahoma City. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Oklahoma City

Ready to relocate to "OKC"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Oklahoma City.

Helpful moving resources