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Moving from California to Oklahoma

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs. vs. Energy, tornados, very low housing costs.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

OK state flag
Moving to

Oklahoma

Capital: Oklahoma City

Median household income $61,364 · winter low 27°F · 235 sunny days

Energy, tornados, very low housing costs.

Oklahoma has an overall price level 87.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Oklahoma
87.8
Oklahoma has 21% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Oklahoma
62.8
Oklahoma has 59% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
California
102.7
Oklahoma
97.0
Oklahoma has 5.6% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Oklahoma
98.2
Oklahoma has 3.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Oklahoma
13.6 ¢/kWh
Oklahoma has 59% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Oklahoma
97.6
Oklahoma has 4.5% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Oklahoma
$222,100
Oklahoma is 71% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$1,835/mo
Oklahoma
$852/mo
Oklahoma is 54% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 93°F · Winter low 27°F · 235 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Oklahoma
93°F
Oklahoma is 11% more summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Oklahoma
27°F
Oklahoma is 40% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Oklahoma
60°F
Oklahoma is 1.4% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Oklahoma
235
Oklahoma has 8.9% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Oklahoma
38 in
Oklahoma is 47% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
California
68
Oklahoma
47
Oklahoma has 31% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
16 in
Oklahoma
6 in
Oklahoma is 63% less annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaOklahoma report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Oklahoma than California?

Oklahoma's overall price level is roughly 87.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Oklahoma tops out at 4.5%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Oklahoma?

Most Oklahoma residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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