Moving from Dallas, TX to Little Rock, AR
The 311 mi from Dallas to Little Rock translate to about 5h 25m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
311 mi · 5h 25m by car · TX → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Frisco, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | 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 |
Overall prices in Little Rock are 13.3% below Dallas — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Little Rock typical home at $216,519 is 13.3% under Dallas at $309,421 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 6.3°F on the annual average — 68.0°F → 61.7°F.
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.33 |
Income steps down 13.3%: $67,760 in Dallas vs $60,583 in Little Rock.
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
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 30.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 311 mi and the route typically takes 5h 25m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 10.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas 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.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 13.3% lower than Dallas (89.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 68.0°F in Dallas (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 38.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 311 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Little Rock, AR.