Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Little Rock, AR
Relocating 1050 mi from West Palm Beach to Little Rock is a 20h 7m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1050 mi Β· 20h 7m by car Β· AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 280, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus, Gainesville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 114.155 in West Palm Beach to 89.364 in Little Rock, a 21.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $399,471 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 50.4" |
Expect 14.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.33 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 21.7% lower in Little Rock than West Palm Beach.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 12.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach 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 1050 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Little Rock, AR from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1050 mi and the route typically takes 20h 7m via US 78 and US 280. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 45.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 21.7% lower than West Palm Beach (89.364 vs 114.155, 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Little Rock, AR.