Moving from Little Rock, AR to Killeen, TX
It is a 466 mi drive, roughly 8h 7m, between Little Rock, AR and Killeen, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
466 mi · 8h 7m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Allen, Mckinney, Garland, Plano, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Little Rock and Killeen sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Killeen ($219,957) sits close to Little Rock ($216,519) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 34.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.7°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.61 |
Household income lines up — $60,583 vs $58,339 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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 Killeen average 96°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 much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 1.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Killeen more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 2.0% higher than Little Rock (91.132 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 466 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 Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 50.4 in.
How far is Killeen, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 466 mi and the route typically takes 8h 7m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Killeen, TX.