Moving from McAllen, TX to Little Rock, AR
It is 833 mi between McAllen and Little Rock — roughly 14h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
833 mi · 14h 29m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 281, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Garland, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.0% under McAllen — $229,001 → $216,519 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 13.8°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.33 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Texas 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.8°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
Is Little Rock more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 4.0% higher than McAllen (89.364 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 5.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 75.5°F in McAllen (13.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 18.7 in.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 0.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 833 mi and the route typically takes 14h 29m via I 30 and US 281. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McAllen 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 833 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 McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Little Rock, AR.