Moving from Memphis, TN to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Memphis, TN to Little Rock, AR covers 149 mi and about 2h 45m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
149 mi · 2h 45m by car · TN → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 630, US 167 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Little Rock and Memphis is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Little Rock is 3.1% above Memphis — $144,710 vs $216,519 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Memphis (63.4°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: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 3.1% above Memphis ($51,211 → $60,583, 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 Tennessee 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
- 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.
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 the job market in Little Rock compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 149 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 63.4°F in Memphis (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 54.9 in.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 149 mi and the route typically takes 2h 45m via I 40 and I 630. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 49.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 18.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 3.1% lower than Memphis (89.364 vs 92.179, 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 Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Little Rock, AR.