Best overall value
Key factors that influence moving costs from Charleston to Tulsa
What to know before moving from Charleston to Tulsa
Moving from Charleston to Tulsa means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Charleston than in Tulsa, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charleston compares to Tulsa so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Charleston | Tulsa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,500 | $1,199 |
| Average home value | $559,231 | $199,876 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,294 | $52,438 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,300 | $2,700 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,890 | $2,850 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.7% |
| Sales tax | 9.0% | 8.52% |
| State income tax | 7.0% | 4.75% |
- Rent prices in Tulsa are 52% lower than in Charleston, 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 64.3% lower than in Charleston. - Income in Tulsa is 15.8% lower than in Charleston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tulsa include Imperial, Hilti, and QuikTrip.
- The cost of living for a single person in Tulsa is 49.1% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Tulsa is 63.9% lower than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Tulsa is 17.50% higher than in Charleston.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tulsa, since the cityโs sales taxes in Tulsa are 5.33% lower than in Charleston.
- One perk of moving to Tulsa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 32.14% lower than in Charleston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,528.30 in Tulsa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Tulsa
| Tulsa | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 413,066 | 150,277 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 39 | 40 |
| Bike friendliness score | 47 | 50 |
| Crime Index | 51.94 | 44.97 |
| Safety Index | 48.06 | 55.03 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Tulsa is about 175% greater than Charleston, 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.
- Tulsa offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Tulsa has a transit score of 4 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Youโll find Tulsa to be about as walkable as Charleston. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 39 and 40 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- Tulsa and Charleston are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 47 and 50 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.
- The crime rate in Tulsa is higher than in Charleston, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 51.94 in Tulsa, it is 44.97 in Charleston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Tulsa. With a crime index of 48.06, Tulsa ranks lower in overall safety than Charleston, whose index is Charleston's 55.03. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Tulsa and Charleston 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 Charleston 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: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Oklahoma, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Oklahoma doesnโt mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Tulsa without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Tulsa
With your sights set on "Oil Capital of the World", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider 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 Charleston to Tulsa?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charleston to Tulsa. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Tulsa?
Because spring and fall moves from Charleston 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 Charleston to Tulsa take?
Covering 1,080 miles, the move from Charleston, SC to Tulsa, OK typically takes two to eight days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inTulsa can help bridge the gap.
