Moving from Tallahassee, FL to Little Rock, AR
A move from Tallahassee, FL to Little Rock, AR covers 673 mi and around 12h 54m of driving through 5 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.
673 mi Β· 12h 54m by car Β· AR β TN β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TN β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, I 40, US 231 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tallahassee | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.919 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.471 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.528 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Little Rock and Tallahassee are close on the overall BEA RPP (93.919 vs 89.364); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Little Rock typical home at $216,519 is 4.8% under Tallahassee at $291,127 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tallahassee +0.2%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tallahassee | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.8" | 50.4" |
Little Rock is 6.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (68.5Β°F vs 61.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TALLAHASSEE, FL US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tallahassee | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $55,931 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 28 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 4.8% above Tallahassee ($55,931 β $60,583, 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 Florida 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β 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 the job market in Little Rock compare to Tallahassee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 181,050 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Tallahassee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 4.8% lower than Tallahassee (89.364 vs 93.919, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tallahassee vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $55,931 in Tallahassee β a 8.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance is 673 mi and the route typically takes 12h 54m via US 78 and I 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tallahassee to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 673 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Tallahassee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $291,127 in Tallahassee β a 25.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tallahassee.
City profiles: Tallahassee, FL Β· Little Rock, AR.