Moving from Little Rock, AR to Long Beach, CA
A 1677 mi cross-country move between Little Rock and Long Beach is 28h 57m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1677 mi Β· 28h 57m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach is 27.1% more expensive than Little Rock on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $216,519 in Little Rock to $857,861 in Long Beach, a 27.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.68 |
Long Beach households earn about 27.1% more than Little Rock at the median β $60,583 β $83,969 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1677 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 1677 mi and the route typically takes 28h 57m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 27.1% higher than Little Rock (113.566 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 296.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 38.6% higher 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 Β· Long Beach, CA.