Firstly why Tulsa, Oklahoma?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Tulsa
• State: Oklahoma
• Population: 401,190 people
• Tulsa’s quick summary would be Renowned for its Art Deco architecture, vibrant music scene, and the historic Woody Guthrie Center.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 20,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 41,000 annually
• Net Migration: -21000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 4,000
• Number of Homeless people: 3,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its arts scene and growing economy attracting diverse residents

Perk #1: Tulsa Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 62%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $45,500
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Tulsa is $49,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $3500 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Tulsa’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,384
• Property Tax %: 1.35%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,600
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Brookside
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Tulsa, Broken-Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, and probably could include Glenpool
• Avg. Age of Homes in Tulsa: 72 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.7%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Tulsa’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Tulsa are  Energy, Manufacturing, and Transportation
• Tulsa Job Scene: strong job market in energy and healthcare
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech community with focus on energy, healthcare, and digital media
• Tulsa Resident’s pay $1,000 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Tulsa: 8%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 200 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 19

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Tulsa

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $95 on average per person
• Freeway Access: U.S. Route 169 connects Tulsa to surrounding areas
• Commute Time: 26 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on I-44
• Transportation Score: 32 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Tulsa: 220,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.5
• No. of Car Washes: 14 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Tulsa: ok.gov/ooa/
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 58 of 100
• Local Airport: Tulsa International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Tulsa’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
• General Weather in Tulsa is best described as experiences hot summers and moderate winters with significant rainfall
• Winter Weather in Tulsa i’d describe as mild and wet
• Spring Weather in Tulsa can be described as mild with rain expected
• Summer’s in Tulsa are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Tulsa is usually mild with sunny intervals
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 23 days in summer
• Days in a row in Tulsa below Freezing: 6
• Average Annual Rainfall: 42 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality affected by urban activities
• Tulsa Winter Air mixed air quality with some pollution spikes in winter

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Tulsa Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Tulsa 11
• While the number of trade schools inside Tulsas’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Tulsa City-County Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Tulsa Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Tulsa only Doctors is about 120
• Local Hospitals here is  10
• Full-time Tulsa only Police Officers is about 900
• Crime Rate Index: 70/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Tulsa’s Monthly utility bill average is $95
• Tulsa’s Monthly Gym Membership: $39
• Tulsa’s Water Quality Score: 65

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Tulsa

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 10 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: city known for its art scene and diverse cultural influences
• You might enjoy concerts at the BOK Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Tulsa  features a dynamic nightlife with clubs bars and concerts showcasing diverse musical talent in the area

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Tulsa

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a rich blend of cuisines and local restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 50 scattered around Tulsa
• The Popular Sports Team is Tulsa Oilers
• Top Level Political Climate in Tulsa can be described as politically diverse city balancing progressive and conservative influences
• Tulsa’s Longer standing religious establishment is Tulsa First Assembly of God

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Tulsa Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Tulsa has 40 Parks?
• Linnaeus Teaching Gardens is Tulsa’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Tulsa Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-12pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and events

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Tulsa Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Tulsa can be described as active urban lifestyle with a blend of culture and industry
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Tulsa visiting local museums exploring parks hiking outings
• The Cities people commute to from Tulsa are Redmond 18 miles away Sisters 22 miles away Prineville 29 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Tulsa or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic slowing on I-44. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Tulsa’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Brookside is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Tulsa are Redmond 18 miles away Sisters 22 miles away Prineville 29 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 70 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Tulsa has 6 days in a row below freezing and 23 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Tulsa people have an average (positive or negative) $3500 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   3,000 homeless people living in Tulsa. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically diverse city balancing progressive and conservative influences could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Tulsa.

Retiree & Senior Life in Tulsa

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access property tax assistance programs aimed at older adults
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Timberwood
• Tulsa Senior Center features social gatherings fitness classes and health workshops for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma?

If Tulsa, Oklahoma ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Tulsa, Oklahoma, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!