Moving from Little Rock, AR to Mesquite, TX
Moving from Little Rock, AR to Mesquite, TX covers 307 mi and about 5h 24m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
307 mi Β· 5h 24m by car Β· AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, AR 5 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Plano, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.4% pricier overall in Mesquite than Little Rock on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Mesquite typical home at $262,121 is 15.4% above Little Rock at $216,519 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Mesquite is 15.4% above Little Rock ($60,583 β $71,843, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Mesquite average 96Β°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 Mesquite, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 307 mi and the route typically takes 5h 24m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 307 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 18.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 21.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 15.4% higher than Little Rock (103.09 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· Mesquite, TX.