Moving from McKinney, TX to Little Rock, AR
It is a 299 mi drive, roughly 5h 20m, between McKinney, TX and Little Rock, AR. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
299 mi Β· 5h 20m by car Β· AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, US 380 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mesquite, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Little Rock at 89.364 vs McKinney at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $481,963 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in McKinney (64.9Β°F) and Little Rock (61.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 13.3% less than McKinney at the median β $120,273 β $60,583 on ACS 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 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 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 Little Rock average 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β 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 McKinney vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 49.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 299 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Little Rock, AR from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 299 mi and the route typically takes 5h 20m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 55.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 13.3% lower than McKinney (89.364 vs 103.09, 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Little Rock, AR.