The low cost of living, solid job market, and uncongested traffic are all tempting reasons to move to Tulsa—but you’ll have to be comfortable with living in Tornado Alley.

Tulsa was settled in the early 1800s by the Lochapoka band of the Creek Native American tribe after being dislocated from their ancestral lands in Georgia and Alabama; today, a sizable portion falls under the territory of the

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Into the 1900s, Tulsa became known for its art deco architecture and for being deemed the “Oil Capital of the World,” although a number of other sectors have come onto the local scene in recent years, and Tulsa’s story is evolving yet again.

So what can you expect from Tulsa if you were to call it home today? Here to help you weigh the pros and cons of doing so is

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What you need to know about Tulsa before you move

Just off the Arkansas River between the rolling Osage Hills and Ozark Mountains is Tulsa, a city home to more than 400,000 people. Should one of them be you? As you weigh your options, here’s some of what you could expect as a Tulsa resident.

1. You’ll probably enjoy the low cost of living

The various living costs that come with living in the Tulsa area fall comfortably below national averages.

According to

Redfin

, the median home sale price for a house in Tulsa in August 2022 was $225,000. For comparison, the U.S. median sale price was $406,074.

As for rent, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Tulsa is just $909—well below the national average of about $1,700, according to

rent.com analysis

When it comes to other living expenses, few things are as non-negotiable as food. Here’s generally what you could expect grocery costs for various items to look like in Tulsa:

A dozen eggs: $3 to $6

A loaf of bread: $2 to $9

A gallon of milk: $4 to $9

Assorted lettuce varieties: $3 to $7

While you’re out on the town, a pint of beer at your favorite bar or a cup of coffee to go could cost $4 to $5 each. A meal for two at an average restaurant could cost about $48, based on numbers from

Numbeo

With a lower cost of living in Tulsa also comes slightly lower average salaries. The median household income in the United States was $64,994, according to 2020 census data, while in Tulsa, it’s $57,024.

The minimum wage in Tulsa matches the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, but based on data from MIT’s

Living Wage calculator

, a single adult without kids would likely need to make at least $15.65 per hour to live comfortably in Tulsa.

2. The job market is in solid shape

The oil and gas industry maintains a major presence in Tulsa, but other sectors are experiencing a considerable amount of growth, including:

Aerospace/aviation

Tech

Transportation

Finance

Health care

Professional services

Its local incentives, like lower energy costs and taxes, are also making it an increasingly popular place for businesses and startups of all sorts to set up shop.

One major plus for remote workers: the

Tulsa Remote

program offers $10,000 cash plus other incentives to those who qualify if you decide to call Tulsa your next home!

3. It’s a great place to get outdoors

Tulsa manages135

public parks

spanning 6,553 acres and have 57 miles of trails to explore. Some popular spots include the

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

and its numerous trails, Woodward Park and Gardens, Gathering Place, and LaFortune Park.

With hundreds of sports fields, tennis and pickleball courts, and multiple golf courses, it’s pretty easy to stay active in Tulsa and enjoy doing it.

4. Dogs feel right at home

As a dog owner, it’s pretty easy to bring your four-legged friend around with you in Tulsa. By

Bring Fido’s

count, there are at least 94 dog-friendly restaurants and bars that will let you dine with your pooch outdoors. There are also an array of dog parks and trails where your dog is more than welcome to tag along.

5. The traffic isn’t half bad

The Tulsa area covers over 200 square miles, so driving a car is often the most ideal transportation option. Luckily, heavy traffic likely isn’t something you’ll need to worry about very often.

The mean travel time to work for the average Tulsa resident was about 20 minutes as of the 2020 census, and according to INRIX’s

2021 Traffic Scorecard Report

, drivers lose an average of four hours in traffic each year—which is quite a bit less than many other U.S. cities.

In addition to a car and your own two feet,

Tulsa Transit

is another option, and the city is also considered to be quite bike-friendly.

6. You’ll be in Tornado Alley territory

One thing you should definitely be cognizant of if you decide to move to Tulsa is that you’ll be making yourself at home in Tornado Alley. The FEMA

National Risk Index

assigns Tulsa County a “very high” tornado risk. 21 Tornadoes have been recorded in Tulsa County

since 2015

That doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker, though. The

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

offers plenty of tips about preparing for tornadoes. (Bonus tip: it’s also a good reason to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your belongings in place!)

As for what else you can expect from Tulsa’s climate, high temperatures at summer’s peak in July can soar into the 100s, while low temperatures in January can hover around the mid-20s. During most years, the Tulsa area can expect to receive at least five inches of snow, if not more.

7. It’s a great place to catch live music

Tulsa has a diverse local music scene with the opportunity to listen in on shows large and small year-round. Some of the most popular venues in Tulsa include the Mercury Lounge, The Colony, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, and Brady Theater.

Does Tulsa live up to the hype?

Tulsa’s a great place to consider for those looking for a city with both a low cost of living, uncongested traffic, and a good amount of entertainment options, including live music.

But if you’re wary of tornado risks, you may want to steer clear of Tulsa.

MORE:

The best weekend getaways in Oklahoma

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Finding a place to live in Tulsa

Finding a place to call home is one of the most challenging parts of moving. Luckily, housing costs in Tulsa are generally lower than national averages, meaning you may have a wider number of options to choose from compared to other major U.S. cities.

According to Redfin, the median home sale price for a house in Tulsa was $225,000 in August—but if you do find a home you like, you may want to act quickly, because the median amount of time they spend on the market is just ten days.

Planning to rent rather than buy? The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Tulsa, as of October 2022, was $909, according to

rent.com

. If you’re looking for more space, or you plan to share an apartment with roommates, the average cost of a three-bedroom is about $1,250 per month.

Of course, the Tulsa neighborhood you choose will also have an impact on what your housing costs look like. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Maple Ridge Historic District is about $1,650, while in neighborhoods like O’Connor Park and Mingo Valley, it’s closer to just $546.

If you’re not sure where to start when choosing a Tulsa neighborhood, establish a budget and see what options are available to you. From there, you can narrow down your options based on what factors are most important to you—like a short commute to work, close proximity to a particular school, lower crime rates, or walkability to nearby shops or restaurants.

The Tulsa area quite literally has hundreds of neighborhoods to choose from. As you explore your options, here are some worth looking into:

Most iconic neighborhoods: Brookside, Maple Ridge Historic District, Utica Square, Downtown

Best neighborhoods if you’ve got kids: Cherry Street, Brookside, Riverview Historic District

Best neighborhoods for foodies: Cherry Street, Brookside, East Village, Greenwood

Best neighborhoods to buy a house: Maple Ridge Historic District, Riverview Historic District, Cherry Street

Most affordable neighborhoods: Turner Park, Towne Centre, O’Connor Park

Be sure to visit any places you’re considering in person before making your final decision—that way, you can get a sense of the area’s atmosphere, what’s nearby, and whether it feels like a good fit for you.

MORE:Cheap car insurance if you rent an apartment

Moving to Tulsa checklist

Finding the right place to live in Tulsa can prove difficult, and so can coordinating the move once you’ve found it. No matter the distance, every move has its challenges, but adding the following items to your moving to Tulsa checklist can help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Before you go

Before you pack up your belongings and head to Tulsa, make sure you’ve considered the following:

Book a reliable moving company. Not sure where to start? Check out these

helpful tips

on finding reputable movers and steering clear of scams from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Reserve a U-Haul in advance if you plan to handle your move yourself.

Prepping for a long-distance move? Look into whether it would be ideal to drive or ship your car to your next home.

Let important contacts know you’re moving, like your landlord, employer, utility provider(s), and insurance provider(s).

Update your address and set up mail forwarding with the

USPS

to stay on top of important communications.

Confirm your updated renters or

homeowners insurance policy

will be active and ready to go once you’ve moved in.

After you get there

In addition to unpacking that last box in your new Tulsa home, here are just a couple more items to take care of:

If you’ve moved to Tulsa from out of state, you’ll need to re-register your car in Oklahoma and update your car insurance if you haven’t already.

Get to know Tulsa! Now that you’ve finally arrived to your new home, take your time to explore and get acquainted with the spots that will become your go-to parks, shops, trails, and restaurants as a Tulsa local.

MORE:

Homeowners insurance in Oklahoma

How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Tulsa

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Once you’ve picked the right policy at the right price, Jerry can help you make a seamless switch to your new coverage as well. When all is said and done, Jerry users save an average of more than $800 per year on car insurance alone—which could go a long way in cutting down on your

Tulsa car insurance

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Is it worth moving to Tulsa?

The answer to this question largely depends on your budget and the type of lifestyle you’re looking for. If you like hiking and biking within city limits, ample access to public parks and live music, low living costs, and uncrowded traffic, Tulsa might just be the place for you. You will, however, have to take all this in stride with the high crime rates and risk of tornadoes.

How much money do I need to move to Tulsa?

As for day-to-day living in Tulsa, data from MIT’s

Living Wage Calculator

estimates that a single adult without kids would need to earn at least $15.65 per hour to live comfortably, while a household of two adults and three kids would need to bring in a cumulative $39.10 per hour.

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