Houston vs. Tulsa for Summer Heat and Humdity (Miami, May: homes, live)

[RockTrout]

I'm looking at a few job offers in both Tulsa and Houston. It appears that Tulsa has a better year round climate, I like 4 seasons, but the summers appear to be a toss up? Is one area better than the other when it comes to summer heat and humdity? I know that Houston is supposed to be very humid, but I can't get a good handle on humidity levels in Tulsa during the summer.

[TU 'cane]

Hmm, not familiar with Houston or it's weather so i'm not sure. I would say Tulsa is mroe humid and Houston has a dryer climate..

[tRdoc]

They're not that different, sadly. I've been to both numerous times during the summer. Maybe slightly more humid in Houston, but Eastern Oklahoma gets just as miserable in the summer, without a doubt.


<edit for above post> Houston is actually quite humid, being right on the Gulf.

[HippyBuggsGirl]

Houston summers are hot and stay hot longer, I have a girlfriend down in that area we visit every summer. But Tulsa summers aren't to far off really it would be a toss up. As far as 4 seasons it doesn't get to cold down that way. Good Luck choosing! Tulsa is really a great place!

[#1soonerfan]

Rock Trout,
I spent this previous summer at an internship in Houston. The climate between the two do not compare. Yes, Tulsa and most of Eastern Oklahoma usually have about 2-3 week stretches of "dog days," searing humidity, very hot, not a cloud in the sky. In Houston, its more like 2-3 MONTHS! I remember my first day of work, it was 80 degrees in the morning and my windows were condensing water on them. Its not uncommon for it to get very hot in the afternoon, with the heat and humidity combining to create these freakish thunderstorms that flood half the city. It was like clockwork, usually between 4-6 pm, which always made for a lovely rush hour. I tried to give that place's climate a chance, but on the last day I was there, the heat index was 117 degrees and felt every bit of it. And the scary thing is this one one of their cooler summers!!! I'm not trying to bash Houston, its actually a nice city once you get over the humidity and traffic. Just prepare yourself for a shock, especially since your coming from MT. Another thing is that Tulsa does have 4 genuine seasons. I was in Tulsa last fall and was absolutely stunned by the beauty of the leaves. On the other hand, you can be in shorts on Christmas in Houston. I think the important thing to remember is that both areas are pretty climate controlled, so you can still function in both places.

[Synopsis]

There is no comparison. You'd be better off comparing Austin and Houston. Tulsa can be humid, but Houston is HUMID like Miami. And their (Houston's) summers start earlier and last much longer than Tulsa. You can have your first freeze in Tulsa and Houston can still be in the 80s.

[BigOkie]

I lived in Houston for three years, and you cannot compare the climates in the least.

Tulsa, while it does get hot and humid, has seasons and has variables to the weather.

Here's the Houston forecast every day of the week in July thru September.

High 94
Low 74
Chance of precip: 20%

Humidity is usually about a thousand percent...ok, I exaggerate, but it's close. Plus, it gets so humid in Houston that a by product of that...mildew...wafts through the air almost every morning.

[RockTrout]

Thanks for the quality feedback. I have plenty of arm chair quarterbacks up here telling me how I'll hate either place and they are fundamentally no different! Heck, I spent a bunch of time comparing the data from NOAA and the weather channel and pretty much knew the climate was much better in Tulsa, all my "good friends" kept saying otherwise.. I honestly believe that Tulsa would be a much better fit with the true four seasons and all the great fishing close to town!

[#1soonerfan]

Hey rocktrout,
I'm just taking a wild guess but assuming that you are choosing between both Tulsa and Houston, is your job in an energy-related field? I acutally worked for a major oil company in their land department this summer. I loved the job, but Houston was not my cup of tea. I graduate pretty soon and I am trying my best to stay in these parts. I would definitely recommend Tulsa, the city is really on the move. Check out pics of their new area on one of the previous threads. And yes, SE Oklahoma has by far some of the best fly fishing this side of the Rockies. You should check it out!

[RockTrout]

Hey #1soonerfan,

I am indeed working in the energy industy. So Tulsa, Houston, OKC, and Denver represented my best options. The strange thing was Houston had the best opportunties and then out of nowhere I started finding some great opportunities in Tulsa. After researching Tulsa and the fly fishing opportunities, it quickly became the clear winner in my mind. Wasn't even close to be quite honest. So wish me luck with my interview next week and if all goes well, I'll probably bring the wife out the week after to check out the area, homes, etc...