Moving from Round Rock, TX to Little Rock, AR
It is a 491 mi drive, roughly 8h 36m, between Round Rock, TX 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.
491 mi · 8h 36m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Allen, Mckinney, Garland, Plano, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.9% moving from Round Rock to Little Rock — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $407,077 in Round Rock to $216,519 in Little Rock, a 8.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 8.9% less than Round Rock at the median — $97,187 → $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 — 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 much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 46.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 491 mi and the route typically takes 8h 36m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 37.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock 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 491 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 8.9% lower than Round Rock (89.364 vs 98.066, 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Little Rock, AR.