Moving from San Antonio, TX to Little Rock, AR
A move from San Antonio, TX to Little Rock, AR covers 587 mi and around 10h 22m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
587 mi · 10h 22m by car · TX → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 35, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Little Rock is 5.7% cheaper than San Antonio overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Little Rock is 5.7% below San Antonio ($216,519 vs $249,810 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 50.4" |
Little Rock is 7.3°F cooler on the annual average (69.0°F vs 61.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.33 |
Median household incomes in San Antonio ($62,917) and Little Rock ($60,583) are within a few percent (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
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (7.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 34.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 13.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 587 mi and the route typically takes 10h 22m via I 30 and I 35. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 5.7% lower than San Antonio (89.364 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 587 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Little Rock, AR.