Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR
It is 1676 mi and 28h 55m from Los Angeles to Little Rock — a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1676 mi · 28h 55m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in Los Angeles to 89.364 in Little Rock, a 21.3% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $952,183 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Los Angeles (63.8°F) and Little Rock (61.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Little Rock averages 3.8 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: CULVER CITY, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.33 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.3% — $80,366 → $60,583 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Little Rock average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May — identify a safe room on day one.
- 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1676 mi and the route typically takes 28h 55m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1676 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 14.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 77.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 21.3% lower than Los Angeles (89.364 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Little Rock, AR.