Moving from Seattle, WA to Little Rock, AR
A 2260 mi cross-country move between Seattle and Little Rock is 38h 46m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2260 mi · 38h 46m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS → OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS → OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.6% moving from Seattle 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 $868,680 in Seattle to $216,519 in Little Rock, a 19.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature rises 8.5°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA normals.
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 19.6% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 75.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2260 mi and the route typically takes 38h 46m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 19.6% lower than Seattle (89.364 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 50.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 53.2°F in Seattle (8.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 37.8 in.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 2260 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Little Rock, AR.