Moving from Little Rock, AR to Brownsville, TX
A move from Little Rock, AR to Brownsville, TX 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
| Little Rock | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Brownsville and Little Rock is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Brownsville is 3.8% below Little Rock ($195,993 vs $216,519 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | β |
Brownsville runs 12.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.7Β°F vs 74.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 3.21 |
Median household income in Brownsville is 3.8% below Little Rock ($60,583 β $48,675, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Brownsville, TX from Little Rock, AR?
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.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Brownsville?
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.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 9.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 19.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 3.8% lower than Little Rock (85.975 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Brownsville, TX.