Moving from Surprise, AZ to Little Rock, AR
It is 1343 mi between Surprise and Little Rock — roughly 23h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1343 mi · 23h 3m by car · AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 65, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.5% cheaper overall in Little Rock than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 8.5°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 13.5% less than Surprise at the median — $93,371 → $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 Arizona 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
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
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 70.2°F in Surprise (8.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 9.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Surprise 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 1343 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 Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1343 mi and the route typically takes 23h 3m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 35.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 13.5% lower than Surprise (89.364 vs 103.316, 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 Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Little Rock, AR.