($1,338) Movers From Columbia, SC to Oklahoma City, OK

What to know before moving from Columbia to Oklahoma City

Moving from Columbia to Oklahoma City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oklahoma City is generally more expensive than Columbia, 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 in Oklahoma City are 14% lower than in Columbia, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Oklahoma City.
  Home prices in Oklahoma City are 11.2% lower than in Columbia.
• Income is the same in Oklahoma City and Columbia. 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 9.9% higher than in Columbia. 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 52.6% higher than in Columbia.
• The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is 15.38% lower than in Columbia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oklahoma City, since the city’s sales taxes in Oklahoma City are 7.88% higher than in Columbia.
• One perk of moving to Oklahoma City is paying less in state income taxes, which are 32.14% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,297.55 in Oklahoma City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Oklahoma City

• The population of Oklahoma City is about 398% greater than Columbia, 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 Columbia. Oklahoma City has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Columbia is ranked 5. 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 Columbia. Oklahoma City is considered more walkable than Columbia, with a score of 73 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Columbia. 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 Columbia 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 Columbia is rated as 35 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oklahoma City is higher than in Columbia, 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 3.0 in Columbia. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• Oklahoma City is generally as safe as Columbia, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Oklahoma City and Columbia 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 Columbia 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s 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 company’s license in Oklahoma, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Oklahoma doesn’t 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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City

With your sights set on "OKC", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Oklahoma City.

Helpful moving resources