Moving from Bellevue, WA to Little Rock, AR
It is 2250 mi and 38h 38m from Bellevue to Little Rock — a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2250 mi · 38h 38m by car · AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.6% cheaper overall in Little Rock than Bellevue on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 50.4" |
Expect 8.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.33 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.6% — $161,300 → $60,583 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 19.6% lower than Bellevue (89.364 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 2250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (8.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 37.8 in.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 62.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 85.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 2250 mi and the route typically takes 38h 38m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Little Rock, AR.