Moving from Odessa, TX to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Odessa, TX to Little Rock, AR runs 663 mi — about 11h 32m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
663 mi · 11h 32m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Odessa (93.896) and Little Rock (89.364) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Little Rock ZHVI at $216,519 is 4.8% below Odessa at $251,239.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 31 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.33 |
Income steps down 4.8%: $73,030 in Odessa vs $60,583 in Little Rock.
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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 64.4°F in Odessa (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 12.3 in.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 13.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 4.8% lower than Odessa (89.364 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 17.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 663 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 Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 663 mi and the route typically takes 11h 32m via I 20 and I 30. The trip crosses 2 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Little Rock, AR.