Kentucky to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 877 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oklahoma), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & BBQ Brisket
- Oklahoma housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Oklahoma is 3.00% more affordable than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Oklahoma will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Oklahoma movers is From Here to There
Kentucky to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Oklahoma
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Higher cost of living
- Heavy humidity
- Milder winters
- Growing job opportunities
- Affordable housing
- Drier climate
- Fewer natural lakes
- Less cultural variety
- Higher summer heat
- Limited horse tracks
- Beautiful landscapes
- Rich bourbon culture
- Mild summer temperatures
- Equestrian events
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Oklahoma with growing job opportunities
- Swap the higher cost of living in Kentucky for affordable housing in Oklahoma
- Get ready for a drier climate in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Kentucky to live with fewer natural lakes in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich bourbon culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural variety
- Time to bid farewell to mild summer temperatures and get used to higher summer heat in Oklahoma
- Swap equestrian events for limited horse tracks
Kentucky vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Kentucky Bibb Salad | Fried Okra |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Kentucky to Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty BBQ Brisket and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Bibb Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Okra of Oklahoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and Mammoth Cave National Park Restaurants. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Philbrook Museum of Art - La Villa Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oklahoma, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Oklahoma
Comparison | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, hardwood floors | Storm shelters, open floor plans |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings, which commonly reference large backyards and hardwood floors, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like storm shelters and open floor plans.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oklahoma is less walkable than Kentucky.
- Oklahoma is similarly bike-friendly to Kentucky.
- Oklahoma has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 3.00% more affordable than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Oklahoma
Comparison | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 65Β°F | 94Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42Β°F / 24Β°F | 50Β°F / 31Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 6" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 20% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Oklahoma has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hailstorms in Oklahoma.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 7 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Oklahoma
Comparison | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 4.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.82% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 8.99% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Agriculture, Energy, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 1% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Oklahoma will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in OK is 4.75% compared to 5.0% in KY
- The affluence in Oklahoma is moderate compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is moderate in Oklahoma compared to moderate in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and low in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative, but with a significant Democratic presence | Strongly conservative, particularly in rural areas |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican leadership in urban and rural areas respectively | Primarily Republican leadership across both urban and rural settings |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with strong Baptist influence | Primarily Christian, with a mix of Baptist and Methodist predominance |
- Kentucky tends to lean moderately conservative but has a significant Democratic presence in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative, particularly in rural areas
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a mix of Baptist and Methodist predominance
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a strong Baptist influence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Oklahoma
Comparison | Kentucky | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell) Mannsdale Upper Elementary (Madison) Anchorage Public Elementary (Anchorage) | Lincoln Elementary School (Norman) Brink Junior High School (Oklahoma City) Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Murray Middle School (Murray) Beaumont Middle School (Lexington) | Whittier Middle School (Norman) Sequoyah Middle School (Edmond) Central Middle School (Edmond) |
Top 3 High School Schools | duPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) | Edmond North High School (Edmond) Norman High School (Norman) Jenks High School (Jenks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) Trinity High School (Louisville) | Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (Oklahoma City) Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa) Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | Holland Hall (Tulsa) Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) Oklahoma Christian School (Edmond) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Boone County Schools | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to Oklahoma Movers Cost?
Moving 877 miles from Kentucky to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,700 | 300 ft3 | $5.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,527 | 450 ft3 | $5.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,174 | 750 ft3 | $5.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,067 | 1100 ft3 | $5.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,745 | 1600 ft3 | $5.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,748 | 1800 ft3 | $5.42 |
Top Kentucky to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

From Here to There
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Oklahoma