Moving from Peoria, IL to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Peoria, IL to Little Rock, AR runs 526 mi — about 9h 57m 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.
526 mi · 9h 57m by car · AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 67, I 55, US 167 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Peoria (91.231) 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
Homes run dramatically pricier in Little Rock: 2.0% above Peoria on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 50.4" |
Climate warms by 9.0°F on the annual average — 52.7°F → 61.7°F.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 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 Illinois 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 Peoria vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 3.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 2.0% lower than Peoria (89.364 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 526 mi and the route typically takes 9h 57m via US 67 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 526 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 68.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 52.7°F in Peoria (9.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 37.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Little Rock, AR.