Moving from Little Rock, AR to Austin, TX
Relocating 507 mi from Little Rock to Austin is a 8h 51m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
507 mi · 8h 51m by car · TX → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.7% above Little Rock — 89.364 → 98.066 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 36.3" |
Expect 8.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.7% — $60,583 → $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 — 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 Austin average 97°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 far is Austin, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 507 mi and the route typically takes 8h 51m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 134.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 507 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 51.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (8.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 50.4 in.
Is Austin more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 9.7% higher than Little Rock (98.066 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Austin, TX.