Moving from New Orleans, LA to Little Rock, AR
It is a 438 mi drive, roughly 8h 52m, between New Orleans, LA and Little Rock, AR. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
438 mi · 8h 52m by car · LA → MS → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 425, I 10, US 61 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 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 3.5% under New Orleans — $242,493 → $216,519 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 9.2°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: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.33 |
Households in Little Rock earn about 3.5% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Louisiana 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.
- 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 New Orleans vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 9.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 10.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 3.5% lower than New Orleans (89.364 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (9.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 60.1 in.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans 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 438 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Little Rock, AR from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 438 mi and the route typically takes 8h 52m via US 425 and I 10. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Little Rock, AR.