Moving from Abilene, TX to Little Rock, AR
It is a 494 mi drive, roughly 8h 42m, between Abilene, TX and Little Rock, AR. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
494 mi · 8h 42m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 20, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Plano, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Abilene to Little Rock — $210,016 vs $216,519 (2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.33 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Little Rock average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May — identify a safe room on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 65.9°F in Abilene (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 25.2 in.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 494 mi and the route typically takes 8h 42m via I 30 and I 20. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 3.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 494 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 1.1% lower than Abilene (89.364 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Little Rock, AR.