Moving from Brownsville, TX to Little Rock, AR
A move from Brownsville, TX to Little Rock, AR covers 780 mi and around 14h 31m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
780 mi Β· 14h 31m by car Β· AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Houston, Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Little Rock and Brownsville are close on the overall BEA RPP (85.975 vs 89.364); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 3.9% higher in Little Rock than Brownsville as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 50.4" |
Little Rock is 12.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (74.4Β°F vs 61.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 3.9% above Brownsville ($48,675 vs $60,583, 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Brownsville 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 780 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 Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 3.9% higher than Brownsville (89.364 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 780 mi and the route typically takes 14h 31m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 10.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 24.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Little Rock, AR.