The Ultimate Moving Guide: Long Beach, CA to Tulsa, OK
Congratulations on making the decision to move from Long Beach to Tulsa. You are trading the Pacific Ocean for the Arkansas River, the sprawling, sun-bleached concrete of Southern California for the red-brick revival of Oklahoma. This isn't just a change of address; it is a fundamental shift in lifestyle, economy, and climate. As a relocation expert, I have seen this move made successfully by hundreds of transplants, but it requires a clear-eyed understanding of what you are leaving behind and what you are stepping into. This guide is designed to be your roadmap through that transition, backed by data and honest comparisons.
1. The Vibe Shift: From Coastal Cool to Heartland Hustle
The cultural adjustment will be your first and most profound challenge. Long Beach is a diverse, eclectic, and laid-back extension of the Los Angeles metro area. It operates on a schedule dictated by traffic, tide, and a constant, low-level hum of ambition. Tulsa is the heart of "Green Country," a place where community ties run deep, the pace is deliberate, and the identity is fiercely independent.
You're trading traffic for humidity. In Long Beach, your commute is likely measured in minutes per mile, often spent in gridlock on the 405 or the 710. The average commute time in the Long Beach area is roughly 30 minutes, but it can easily double during peak hours. In Tulsa, the average commute is a mere 18 minutes. You will trade stop-and-go congestion for wide-open highways and a shocking lack of traffic lights on major arteries. However, you are trading the dry, marine-layer climate for a continental one. Summers in Tulsa are not just hot; they are humid, with a "feels-like" temperature that can make 95°F feel like 105°F. The coastal breeze you take for granted in Long Beach is replaced by still, heavy air.
People and Culture: Reserved vs. Relaxed.
Long Beach culture is a mosaic: a blend of Latino heritage, a historic LGBTQ+ community, a military presence (Naval Station Long Beach), and a thriving artist scene. It’s progressive, outward-facing, and values individual expression. Tulsans are warm and friendly, but in a more reserved, "Midwestern" way. The concept of "Oklahoma nice" is real—people will hold doors, say hello, and offer help—but it can take longer to break into established social circles. Long Beach is a city of transplants; Tulsa is a city of roots. Many families have been there for generations. You will gain a stronger sense of community but may initially feel like an outsider.
The Economic Pulse.
Long Beach’s economy is tied to the ports, logistics, healthcare, and a burgeoning tech scene in nearby Silicon Beach. It’s a high-velocity, high-cost environment. Tulsa’s economy is more diversified but historically rooted in energy (oil and gas), aerospace (American Airlines Maintenance Base), and finance (BOK Financial). The recent tech push, spearheaded by the Tulsa Remote program, is injecting new energy, but the overall business culture is more relationship-based than transactional. In Long Beach, a deal might be sealed with a handshake at a coffee shop; in Tulsa, it might involve a round of golf or a dinner at a local steakhouse.
2. Cost of Living: The Financial Liberation
This is the single biggest driver for this move, and the numbers are stark. You are moving from one of the most expensive housing markets in the country to one of the most affordable.
Housing: The 400% Difference.
In Long Beach, the median home price hovers around $800,000, with median rent for a two-bedroom apartment easily exceeding $2,500. In Tulsa, the median home price is approximately $220,000, and you can rent a comparable two-bedroom apartment for $1,100 - $1,300. This is not a marginal difference; it is a seismic shift. Your housing budget in Long Beach might get you a modest 1,200 sq. ft. apartment; in Tulsa, that same budget could secure you a 2,500 sq. ft. home with a yard in a desirable neighborhood. This is the "Tulsa Remote" effect in action: the program pays remote workers $10,000 to move here, but even without that incentive, your purchasing power is dramatically amplified.
Taxes: The Critical Financial Lever.
This is where your wallet feels the immediate impact. California has a progressive income tax with rates ranging from 1% to 13.3% for high earners. Oklahoma has a flat income tax rate of 4.75%. For a household earning $150,000, the state income tax savings alone could be over $10,000 annually. However, Oklahoma has a higher sales tax (combined state and local averages around 8.5-9.5%) compared to Long Beach’s ~10.5%. Property taxes are also lower in Oklahoma, but the overall tax burden is significantly lighter for most middle and upper-middle-class earners.
Everyday Expenses.
While housing and taxes are the big wins, other costs are more comparable. Groceries are slightly cheaper in Tulsa (about 5-8% lower). Utilities (electricity, gas, water) are generally cheaper, especially given the milder winters compared to other parts of the Midwest, but your summer AC bill in Tulsa will be a new, significant expense you didn't have in coastal Long Beach. Gasoline is consistently cheaper in Oklahoma due to lower taxes and proximity to refineries.
3. Logistics: The Cross-Country Move
The physical move is a 1,600-mile journey. You are crossing the Mojave Desert, the Nevada and Utah basins, and the Great Plains.
Moving Options: DIY vs. Professional.
A full-service move from Long Beach to Tulsa for a 3-bedroom home will cost between $8,000 and $14,000, depending on the season and volume. A DIY move (renting a 26-foot truck) will cost $2,500-$4,000 for the rental and fuel, but you must factor in your time (3-4 days of driving), physical labor, and the risk of damage. Given the distance, a hybrid approach is often best: hire movers to pack and load in Long Beach, drive your car(s) yourself, and hire local unloading help in Tulsa via platforms like TaskRabbit or U-Haul’s "Moving Help."
What to Get Rid Of (and What to Buy).
- Purge Heavily: Do not pay to move furniture that doesn’t fit your new, likely larger, space. Tulsa homes often have basements and larger closets.
- Winter Gear: You can keep a light jacket, but you won’t need the heavy-duty ski gear for Long Beach winters. However, you will need a proper winter coat, waterproof boots, and an ice scraper for your car. Tulsa winters average 10-15 inches of snow per year, with occasional ice storms.
- Beach Gear: Surfboards, wetsuits, and extensive patio furniture may have limited use. You can keep them for trips to the Gulf Coast (Texas or Florida are 6-8 hour drives), but they will largely sit in storage.
- What to Buy Upon Arrival: A high-quality dehumidifier for your home (non-negotiable for Tulsa summers), a good lawn mower (if you get a yard), and a reliable all-wheel-drive vehicle for winter weather.
The Drive: The most direct route is I-40 E. It’s a long, straight shot through Arizona and New Mexico. Plan for stops in Kingman, AZ, or Albuquerque, NM. The terrain is dramatic but can be monotonous. Ensure your vehicle is serviced, and have an emergency kit.
4. Neighborhoods to Target: Finding Your Tulsa Analog
Finding the right neighborhood is key to replicating the lifestyle you love. Here’s a guide based on Long Beach vibes.
If you loved Belmont Shore (Walkable, Village Feel, Water Adjacent):
- Target: Brookside. This is the closest analog. Brookside is a vibrant, walkable district along South Peoria Avenue, filled with local boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. It has a strong sense of community, similar to Belmont Shore’s "village" feel. While it’s not on the ocean, it’s centered around Turkey Mountain, a massive urban wilderness area perfect for hiking and trail running, offering a different but equally active outdoor culture. Housing here is a mix of charming 1920s bungalows and modern townhomes.
If you loved Downtown Long Beach (Urban, Artsy, Diverse):
- Target: The Tulsa Arts District (Brady District) & Cherry Street. Downtown Tulsa has undergone a massive renaissance. The Arts District is the epicenter of culture, with the iconic Art Deco architecture (hello, the Philcade and Philtower Buildings), the Woody Guthrie Center, and the Tulsa Ballet. It’s walkable, energetic, and home to a growing number of lofts and modern apartments. For a slightly more residential but still artsy vibe, Cherry Street (15th Street) is known for its historic homes, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants. This area mirrors the creative, eclectic energy of Downtown Long Beach.
If you loved the Family-Friendly, Suburban Feel of Bixby Knolls:
- Target: Jenks or Bixby (South Tulsa suburbs). Jenks and Bixby are consistently ranked among the best places to live in Oklahoma. They offer excellent public schools, sprawling parks, and a strong community feel. Jenks has the added benefit of a charming, walkable "Main Street" area and is home to the Oklahoma Aquarium. The housing stock is newer and more spacious than in Bixby Knolls, and the cost of living is a fraction of what you’d pay for a similar setup in the Long Beach area.
If you loved the Gritty, Up-and-Coming Vibe of Wrigley:
- Target: The Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood. This is a historic, diverse neighborhood east of downtown that is in the midst of a revitalization. It has a mix of historic homes, new infill development, and a growing commercial corridor. It’s close to the University of Tulsa and offers a more affordable entry point into city living. It has the same "on the cusp" feel that Wrigley has had for years.
5. The Verdict: Why Make This Move?
You are not moving to a lesser version of Long Beach. You are moving to a different city with a different value proposition.
You will miss:
- The Pacific Ocean and the beach culture.
- The sheer diversity of food, culture, and people in the LA metro area.
- The dry, temperate climate (no humidity, no snow).
- The immediate access to world-class hiking (in the mountains) and skiing.
You will gain:
- Financial freedom. The ability to own a home, save for retirement, and live without the constant financial pressure of coastal California.
- A slower, more manageable pace of life. Less traffic, less noise, more time for yourself and your family.
- A strong, tangible sense of community. People in Tulsa invest in their neighborhoods and support local businesses with a loyalty you rarely see in transient cities.
- A central location for travel. Tulsa is within a 2-4 hour flight to most major U.S. cities, making it a surprisingly good hub for national travel.
- A city on the rise. Tulsa is investing heavily in its downtown, its parks, and its tech scene. You are moving to a city with momentum, not one that is stagnant.
The move from Long Beach to Tulsa is a trade of coastal glamour for heartland substance. It is a decision to prioritize financial stability, community, and space over the prestige and climate of Southern California. For those willing to embrace the humidity, the winters, and the different cultural rhythm, Tulsa offers a quality of life that is increasingly rare in America: affordable, friendly, and full of opportunity.
Data Visualization: Long Beach vs. Tulsa
(Note: The cost comparison indices are relative, with 100 representing the national average. Tulsa is generally below the national average, while Long Beach is significantly above. Housing is the most dramatic outlier.)