Moving from Oklahoma to Texas: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Go
Let’s walk through the most common questions people ask when considering a move across the Red River – and the honest answers.
Is Texas really cheaper than Oklahoma?
This is probably the first question anyone Googling this move has. The short answer: it depends on your situation. The tradeoffs are more nuanced than the “no state income tax” headline suggests.
State Income Tax Oklahoma charges state income tax at rates up to 4.75%. Texas has none. Zero. That’s a meaningful difference, especially if you’re a higher earner. At $100,000 in income, you’re looking at roughly $4,000 a year in Oklahoma state income taxes that simply disappear when you cross the Red River.
Property Tax Here’s where Texas gives some of that back. Oklahoma’s effective property tax rate runs around 0.85-0.87%. Texas averages closer to 1.6-1.8% – and in some DFW suburbs, you’ll see rates pushing toward 2.2%. On a $400,000 home, that’s roughly $3,400/year in Oklahoma versus $6,400-$6,700/year in Texas. That gap is real, and it shows up every single month in your mortgage payment.
Housing Prices Oklahoma’s median home price sits around $280,000-$285,000, and it can vary depending on the source you’re using for statistics. Texas’s statewide median is closer to $330,000-$335,000, and in many DFW suburbs, including Flower Mound and Frisco, you’re looking at median prices well above that. If you’re coming from Tulsa or Oklahoma City, the sticker shock on DFW housing is real, but so are the long-term appreciation numbers.
The bottom line: For middle-income earners, the tax tradeoff between the two states is closer than most people realize. For high earners, Texas wins. For homeowners with modest incomes who owned an affordable Oklahoma home, the math is worth running carefully before you assume Texas is the financial upgrade.
What’s the job market like in DFW compared to Oklahoma?
This is often why people make the move in the first place … and DFW delivers.
The Dallas Fort Worth metroplex is home to 21+ Fortune 500 company headquarters, including American Airlines, AT&T, Charles Schwab, Goldman Sachs, and Texas Instruments. In 2025, DFW was ranked the #1 U.S. destination for movers, and the metroplex added jobs at a rate well above the national average. Unemployment in DFW has consistently hovered around 3.4%.
Oklahoma’s economy, driven heavily by energy, agriculture, and aerospace, is solid and more affordable to live in, but the sheer volume and variety of career opportunities in DFW is in a different league. Technology, finance, healthcare, aviation, and logistics are all deeply rooted here.
If you’re relocating for a job, you’re likely coming to the right place.
How different is the weather?
Honestly? Not as different as you might hope. Both states are in tornado alley, both get hot summers, and both see the occasional ice storm that brings everything to a standstill. North Texas summers are long and intense. You can expect June through September to hit triple digits, with some regularity. Your electricity bill from June through September will reflect that.
One practical tip I give every relocation buyer: when touring homes, ask for the last 12 months of electricity bills. A home with older HVAC or poor insulation can easily run $150–$200 more per month in summer than a similar home with updated systems. That adds up fast.
If you’re coming from Tulsa or OKC, you’ll find the winters slightly milder in DFW, but the summers just as brutal.
Where in DFW should I look?
The metroplex is enormous (over 9,000 square miles) so “moving to DFW” without a more specific target can feel overwhelming. Here are a few communities worth knowing:
Flower Mound
Ranked the #1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. for 2025 by Livability.com, Flower Mound offers mature trees, larger lots, over 60 miles of trails, and quick access to both Grapevine Lake and Lewisville Lake. It’s served by the highly regarded Lewisville ISD. If you’re coming from a mid-sized Oklahoma city and want a neighborhood that feels settled and community-oriented, this one tends to resonate. Median home prices run around $625,000, reflecting the quality of the community.
Lewisville
Adjacent to Flower Mound and significantly more affordable (the median home price is around $400,000), Lewisville sits at the intersection of I-35E and the Sam Rayburn Tollway, making it one of the most connected spots in the entire metroplex. There’s direct access to a 29,000-acre lake, and it’s been ranked among the top American boomtowns. A strong value play for first-time buyers or those relocating on a budget.
Frisco
If energy and activity are your speed, Frisco has become a destination in its own right. The PGA of America headquarters, Universal Kids Resort, The Star (home of the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility), and a booming corporate corridor make it one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Schools are excellent. Prices are higher (the median home price is around $685,000) but the lifestyle and career infrastructure are hard to match.
Argyle, Highland Village, Coppell, Carrollton
Each of these communities has its own character and price point. They’re worth exploring depending on where you’ll be working and what kind of community feel matters to you.
It may feel complicated figuring out where to live but I can give you information about housing, price points, and amenities in the different areas so you feel comfortable with where you land.
Do I need to do anything differently when buying in Texas vs. Oklahoma?
A few things to know:
- Homestead exemption: Texas offers a homestead exemption that can reduce your taxable home value, partially offsetting those higher property tax rates. Make sure you file it after closing because it’s not automatic. The good news? If you buy a house with me, I’ll remind you when it’s time so it won’t be one more thing for you to remember.
- HOAs are common: Many DFW suburbs are heavily deed-restricted with active HOAs. This is more prevalent than in much of Oklahoma.
- Market pace: DFW’s desirable suburbs can move quickly, especially in spring. Coming in pre-approved and knowing your target communities will save you a lot of frustration.
- Seller’s disclosure: Texas requires sellers to complete a detailed disclosure form. Read it fully and ask questions about systems, flooding, and prior repairs. This is information that I’ll gather for you so you’re going into an offer with eyes wide open.
Is the drive from Oklahoma City to DFW far?
OKC to the heart of DFW is roughly 185–200 miles, about a 3-hour drive depending on traffic. Tulsa to DFW runs closer to 260 miles, around 4 hours. That’s close enough for weekend trips back to family and friends while still being firmly planted in a different world in terms of job markets and amenities.
Ready to explore the DFW market?
If you’re relocating from Oklahoma and starting to think seriously about where to land in North Texas, I’d love to help you sort through the options. I love helping relocation buyers and I work regularly throughout Flower Mound, Lewisville, Highland Village, Argyle, Frisco, Coppell, Carrollton, Denton, and Corinth. If those areas aren’t your target, don’t worry … I’ve sold houses in much of the DFW metroplex!
Let’s talk about your move.
Whether you have a quick question or you’re ready to get started, I’m here. Choose the option that works best for you.
Randi Dukes · Repeat RealtyFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Moving from Oklahoma to Texas
1. Is it worth moving from Oklahoma to Texas for the no income tax?
For higher earners, yes – the income tax savings are significant. For middle-income households, the higher property taxes and home prices in Texas can offset much of that advantage. Run the numbers for your specific income and target home price before assuming Texas is the clear financial winner.
2. What is the cost of living difference between Oklahoma and Texas?
Oklahoma’s cost of living index sits around 87 versus Texas’s 93 (U.S. average = 100). Oklahoma is more affordable overall, but Texas, and DFW in particular, offers higher median household incomes and a broader job market that often compensates for the higher cost.
3. What are the best DFW suburbs for people moving from Oklahoma?
Families moving from Tulsa or OKC often connect quickly with communities like Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Frisco, which offer a familiar blend of suburban comfort, good schools, and community events – just with significantly more career infrastructure nearby.
4. How much does it cost to move from Oklahoma to Texas?
Moving costs from Oklahoma to DFW typically range from $1,700 to $7,000 depending on home size, distance, and services needed, but a moving company can give you a binding estimate based on your situation. Moving in fall or early spring, rather than summer peak season, can reduce both cost and logistical stress.
5. Do I need a realtor when relocating to DFW from out of state?
Having local representation is especially valuable in a market as large and varied as DFW. A local agent will help you understand the real differences between communities, navigate HOA requirements, and move quickly when the right home comes up.
