($1,521) Movers From Charleston, WV to Tulsa, OK

What to know before moving from Charleston to Tulsa

Moving from Charleston to Tulsa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tulsa is generally more expensive than Charleston, 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 Tulsa are 37% higher than in Charleston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in Tulsa are 30.1% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Tulsa is 11.7% lower than in Charleston, 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 74.3% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tulsa is 26.2% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Tulsa is 24.19% lower than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tulsa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tulsa are 21.71% higher than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Tulsa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 26.92% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,229.18 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

• The population of Tulsa is about 760% 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 2 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tulsa means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Tulsa is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 39 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Charleston. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tulsa is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tulsa has a bike-friendliness score of 47 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 28 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tulsa as Charleston. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tulsa is generally as safe as Charleston, 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 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: 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 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.

Helpful moving resources