Moving from Arlington, TX to Little Rock, AR
It is a 336 mi drive, roughly 5h 57m, between Arlington, TX and Little Rock, AR. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
336 mi Β· 5h 57m by car Β· TX β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.3% cheaper overall in Little Rock than Arlington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 5.1Β°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.33 |
Households in Little Rock earn about 13.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β 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
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 336 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 13.3% lower than Arlington (89.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 336 mi and the route typically takes 5h 57m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 17.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 30.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Little Rock, AR.