Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,311 mile interstate move from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oklahoma vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like tornadoes vs milder weather), food & health (like Chicken Fried Steak vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicken Fried Steak and Smoked BBQ Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 16.85% more expensive than in Oklahoma
- Moving from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Oklahoma to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania
- Tornadoes
- Limited public transit
- Fewer cultural attractions
- Higher crime rate
- Flat landscape
- Milder weather
- Extensive public transport
- Rich historical sites
- Safer neighborhoods
- Scenic countryside
- Higher living expenses
- Busier lifestyle
- Heavier traffic
- Urban sprawl
- More diverse, less local
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly community
- Less traffic
- Easy access to nature
- Strong local culture
Pros of moving from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to tornadoes and hello to milder weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Pennsylvania with extensive public transport
- Swap the fewer cultural attractions of Oklahoma for rich historical sites in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for safer neighborhoods in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Oklahoma to live with the higher living expenses in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of a friendly community and have to settle with the con of a busier lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to less traffic and get used to heavier traffic in Pennsylvania
- Swap easy access to nature for urban sprawl
Oklahoma vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicken Fried Steak | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked BBQ Brisket | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ Ribs | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Oklahoma rave about their flavorful Smoked BBQ Brisket and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Pretzels 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 Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oklahoma eateries like Cattlemanβs Steakhouse, Eischenβs Bar, and The Mule. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Patβs King of Steaks, Zahav, and Primanti Bros.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oklahoma. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Oklahoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oklahoma and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, storm shelters | Historic details, proximity to parks |
- The Ranch architecture that Oklahoma is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Oklahoma's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and storm shelters, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Oklahoma.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Oklahoma.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Oklahoma.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in Oklahoma, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Oklahomaβs $203,455.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 50% increase in Oklahoma.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 16.85% more expensive than in Oklahoma.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oklahoma and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 6 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 22% fewer sunshine days than Oklahoma.
- Pennsylvania 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 snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 9 degrees colder than in Oklahoma.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Oklahoma.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Oklahoma.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oklahoma and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,673 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.1 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.90% | 1.58% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.71% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Aviation | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Slightly Elevated | Average |
Homelessness | Manageable | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 20% more than in Oklahoma
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 11% higher than what you are used to living in Oklahoma
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 5.0% in OK
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is higher compared to moderate in Oklahoma
- The poverty level is average in Pennsylvania compared to slightly elevated in Oklahoma
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Oklahoma and noticeable in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Oklahoma vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderate, tending towards liberal in urban areas |
Local Politics | Republican dominance | Democratic in cities, Republican in rural areas |
Religion | Evangelical Protestantism | Catholicism and Mainline Protestantism |
- Oklahoma tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as moderate, tending towards liberal in urban areas
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as Catholicism and Mainline Protestantism
- Oklahoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestantism
Education Guide When Moving from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Central Oklahoma | Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chisholm Elementary School (Edmond) Russell Dougherty Elementary School (Edmond) Wayland Bonds Elementary School (Moore) | Albert M. Greenfield School (Philadelphia) Ad Prima Charter School (Philadelphia) Winchester Thurston School (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whittier Middle School (Norman) Central Middle School (Edmond) Sequoyah Middle School (Edmond) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Edmond North High School (Edmond) Norman High School (Norman) Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa) | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Central High School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (Oklahoma City) Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa) Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) | The Haverford School (Haverford) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa) Bishop Kelley High School (Tulsa) | The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) |
Top 3 School Districts | Edmond School District Norman School District Jenks School District | Lower Merion School District Radnor Township School District Tredyffrin-Easttown School District |
How Much Do Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 1,311 miles from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania 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: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,946 | 300 ft3 | $6.49 |
1 Bedroom | $2,896 | 450 ft3 | $6.44 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,789 | 750 ft3 | $6.39 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,969 | 1100 ft3 | $6.34 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,057 | 1600 ft3 | $6.29 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,224 | 1800 ft3 | $6.24 |
Top Oklahoma to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oklahoma to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Oklahoma to Pennsylvania