Moving from Little Rock, AR to Amarillo, TX
The drive from Little Rock, AR to Amarillo, TX runs 595 mi β about 10h 16m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
595 mi Β· 10h 16m by car Β· AR β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 65, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Little Rock (89.364) and Amarillo (91.82) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $216,519 vs $206,787 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.56 |
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 Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Amarillo average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 2.7% higher than Little Rock (91.82 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 595 mi and the route typically takes 10h 16m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 595 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 4.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· Amarillo, TX.