Oklahoma to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 924 mile interstate move from Oklahoma to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oklahoma vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like tornado risk vs sunny weather), food & health (like Chicken Fried Steak vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (ranch and craftsman vs pueblo and spanish), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicken Fried Steak and Barbecue Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 112% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma
- Rent in Arizona is 50.70% more expensive than in Oklahoma
- Moving from Oklahoma to Arizona will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Oklahoma to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Oklahoma to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oklahoma to Arizona
- Tornado risk
- High humidity
- Limited outdoor activities
- Flat terrain
- Fewer job opportunities
- Sunny weather
- Dry climate
- Diverse landscapes
- Mountainous regions
- Growing economy
- Higher living expenses
- Transient population
- Less agriculture
- Hot long summers
- Traffic congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly community
- Rich farming culture
- Distinct seasons
- Shorter commutes
Pros of moving from Oklahoma to Arizona
- Say goodbye to tornado risk and hello to sunny weather
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Arizona with a dry climate
- Swap the limited outdoor activities of Oklahoma for diverse landscapes in Arizona
- Get ready for mountainous regions in Arizona
Cons of moving from Oklahoma to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Oklahoma to live with higher living expenses in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of a friendly community and have to settle with the con of a transient population
- Time to bid farewell to a rich farming culture and get used to less agriculture in Arizona
- Swap distinct seasons for hot, long summers
Oklahoma vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicken Fried Steak | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Brisket | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Fried Onion Burgers | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ Sandwich | Vegan Tacos |
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 Oklahoma to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Oklahoma rave about their flavorful Barbecue Brisket and sumptuous Fried Onion Burgers, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oklahoma eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Leo's BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Elote CafΓ©, Pizzicletta, and Bacanora.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oklahoma. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Oklahoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oklahoma and Arizona
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Craftsman | Pueblo and Spanish |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Open floor plans | Energy efficiency, Outdoor living spaces |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Oklahoma is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Spanish architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Oklahoma's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and open floor plans, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and outdoor living spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Oklahoma.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Oklahoma.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Oklahoma.
- Arizona housing costs are 112% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Oklahomaβs $203,455.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 50% increase in Oklahoma.
- Rent in Arizona is 50.70% more expensive than in Oklahoma.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oklahoma and Arizona
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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, Hail | Wildfires, Heatwaves |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate to Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 71Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 68Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 6 | 0-3 (varies widely) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oklahoma to Arizona. Arizona gets 30% more sunshine days than Oklahoma.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oklahoma.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 10 degrees warmer than in Oklahoma.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Oklahoma.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 23 fewer inches of rain compared to Oklahoma.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oklahoma and Arizona
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,673 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.1 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.0 | 4.5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87 | 0.62 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.95 | 8.4 |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Aerospace | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 25% more than in Oklahoma
- The COLI in Arizona is 12% higher than what you are used to living in Oklahoma
- The state income tax in AZ is 4.5 compared to 5.0 in OK
- The affluence in Arizona is high compared to moderate affluence in Oklahoma
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to significant poverty in Oklahoma
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Oklahoma and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Oklahoma vs. Arizona
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderate, with conservative & liberal areas |
Local Politics | Strong Republican influence | Mix of Republican and Democratic influence |
Religion | Predominantly Christian | Diverse, with Christianity being major but also a significant percentage of non-religious |
- Oklahoma tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with conservative and liberal areas
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as diverse with Christianity being a major religion but also a significant percentage of non-religious individuals
- Oklahoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Oklahoma to Arizona
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chisholm Elementary School Edmond; Russell Dougherty Elementary School Edmond; Northern Hills Elementary School Edmond | Hopi Elementary School Scottsdale; Manzanita Elementary School Tucson; Basis Ahwatukee Phoenix |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whittier Middle School Norman; Sequoyah Middle School Edmond; Central Middle School Edmond | Baseline Middle School Tempe; Orange Grove Middle School Tucson; Cocopah Middle School Scottsdale |
Top 3 High School Schools | Edmond North High School Edmond; Norman High School Norman; Jenks High School Jenks | Chaparral High School Scottsdale; University High School Tucson; Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale |
Top 3 private high schools | Cascia Hall Preparatory School Tulsa; Heritage Hall Oklahoma City; Bishop Kelley High School Tulsa | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix; Xavier College Preparatory Phoenix; The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heritage Hall Oklahoma City; Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Oklahoma City; Cascia Hall Preparatory School Tulsa | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix; Phoenix Country Day School Paradise Valley; The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 School Districts | Edmond Public Schools Edmond; Norman Public Schools Norman; Jenks Public Schools Jenks | Scottsdale Unified School District Scottsdale; Catalina Foothills School District Tucson; Chandler Unified School District Chandler |
How Much Do Oklahoma to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 924 miles from Oklahoma to Arizona 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: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,726 | 300 ft3 | $5.75 |
1 Bedroom | $2,567 | 450 ft3 | $5.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,241 | 750 ft3 | $5.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,165 | 1100 ft3 | $5.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,887 | 1600 ft3 | $5.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,908 | 1800 ft3 | $5.50 |
Top Oklahoma to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oklahoma to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Oklahoma to Arizona