Oklahoma to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,349 mile interstate move from Oklahoma to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oklahoma vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like tornadoes vs mild climate), food & health (like Chicken Fried Steak vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (ranch-style homes vs victorian and row houses), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicken Fried Steak and BBQ Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Peri Peri Chicken
- DC housing costs are 204% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma
- Rent in DC is 88.95% more expensive than in Oklahoma
- Moving from Oklahoma to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Oklahoma to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Oklahoma to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oklahoma to DC
- Tornadoes
- Limited public transport
- Fewer job opportunities
- Landlocked
- Fewer cultural events
- Mild climate
- Extensive metro system
- Robust job market
- Proximity to coast
- Abundant cultural events
- Higher cost of living
- Constant congestion
- Dense urban areas
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Complex city living
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- Open spaces
- Friendly community
- Simple lifestyle
Pros of moving from Oklahoma to DC
- Say goodbye to tornadoes and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to DC with an extensive metro system
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of Oklahoma for a robust job market in DC
- Get ready for proximity to the coast in DC
Cons of moving from Oklahoma to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Oklahoma to live with a higher cost of living in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic and have to settle for the con of constant congestion
- Time to bid farewell to open spaces and get used to dense urban areas in DC
- Swap a friendly community for a fast-paced lifestyle
Oklahoma vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oklahoma | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicken Fried Steak | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | BBQ Brisket | Peri Peri Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Bison Burgers | Korean BBQ Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ Ribs | Mushroom Shawarma |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Oklahoma rave about their flavorful BBQ Brisket and sumptuous Bison Burgers, DC residents know they have tasty Peri Peri Chicken and Korean BBQ Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ Ribs they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Shawarma of DC. 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 DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rosa's Taco Bar, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oklahoma. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Oklahoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oklahoma and DC
Comparison | Oklahoma | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch-style homes | Victorian and row houses |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garages | Proximity to public transport, historic landmarks |
- The Ranch-style homes architecture that Oklahoma is known for will be replaced with Victorian and row house architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Oklahoma's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transport and historic landmarks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Oklahoma.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Oklahoma.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Oklahoma.
- DC housing costs are 204% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Oklahomaβs $203,455.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 50% increase in Oklahoma.
- Rent in DC is 88.95% more expensive than in Oklahoma.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oklahoma and DC
Comparison | Oklahoma | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Winter Storms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 89Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 47Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 6" | 15.4" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oklahoma to DC. DC gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Oklahoma.
- DC has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Oklahoma.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma, but be on the lookout for potential winter storms and hurricanes in DC.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 5 degrees colder than in Oklahoma.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Oklahoma.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Oklahoma.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oklahoma and DC
Comparison | Oklahoma | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,673 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.1 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5% | Not applicable |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.90% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.95% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Aviation | Government, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Average | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 69% more than in Oklahoma
- The COLI in DC will be 55% higher than what you are used to living in Oklahoma
- The state income tax in DC is not applicable compared to 5% in OK
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Oklahoma
- The poverty level is low in DC compared to average in Oklahoma
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Oklahoma and high in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Oklahoma vs. DC
Comparison | Oklahoma | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative Majority | Liberal Majority |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Highly Religious, predominately Christian | Moderately Religious, diverse affiliations |
- Oklahoma tends to lean conservative majority in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as liberal majority
- DC's religious environment can be described as moderately religious with diverse affiliations
- Oklahoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Oklahoma to DC
Comparison | Oklahoma | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chisholm Elementary Edmond; Russell Dougherty Elementary Edmond; Northern Hills Elementary Edmond | Lafayette Elementary Washington; Mann Elementary Washington; Janney Elementary Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whittier Middle Norman; Central Middle School Edmond; Sequoyah Middle School Edmond | Deal Middle School Washington; Hardy Middle School Washington; Alice Deal Junior High Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | Edmond North High School Edmond; Norman High School Norman; Jenks High School Jenks | Wilson High School Washington; School Without Walls High School Washington; Banneker High School Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Holland Hall Tulsa; Casady School Oklahoma City; Heritage Hall Oklahoma City | Georgetown Preparatory School North Bethesda; Sidwell Friends School Washington; St. Albans School Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heritage Hall Oklahoma City; Holland Hall Tulsa; Cascia Hall Preparatory School Tulsa | Sidwell Friends School Washington; Maret School Washington; Georgetown Day School Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Edmond Public Schools Edmond; Norman Public Schools Norman; Jenks Public Schools Jenks | District of Columbia Public Schools Washington |
How Much Do Oklahoma to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 1,349 miles from Oklahoma to DC will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,967 | 300 ft3 | $6.56 |
1 Bedroom | $2,928 | 450 ft3 | $6.51 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,843 | 750 ft3 | $6.46 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,048 | 1100 ft3 | $6.41 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,172 | 1600 ft3 | $6.36 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,354 | 1800 ft3 | $6.31 |
Top Oklahoma to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oklahoma to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.