Moving from Little Rock, AR to Goodyear, AZ
The drive from Little Rock, AR to Goodyear, AZ runs 1374 mi — about 23h 53m 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.
1374 mi · 23h 53m by car · AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 65, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 89.364 in Little Rock to 103.316 in Goodyear, a 15.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Goodyear: 15.6% above Little Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 7.4" |
Climate warms by 12.2°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 73.9°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Goodyear — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.87 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.6% between Little Rock and Goodyear (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 1374 mi and the route typically takes 23h 53m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 68.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 116.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 15.6% higher than Little Rock (103.316 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1374 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (12.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 50.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Goodyear, AZ.