Moving from Little Rock, AR to Virginia Beach, VA
Relocating 1074 mi from Little Rock to Virginia Beach is a 19h 46m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1074 mi · 19h 46m by car · VA → TN → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $216,519 to $427,032 moving to Virginia Beach.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (61.7°F) and Virginia Beach (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Virginia Beach averages 3.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.54 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.6% — $60,583 → $90,685 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 97.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 50.4 in.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 9.6% higher than Little Rock (97.941 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 49.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 1074 mi and the route typically takes 19h 46m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 737,200 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 Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1074 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Virginia Beach, VA.