Moving from Arvada, CO to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Arvada, CO to Little Rock, AR runs 975 mi — about 16h 43m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
975 mi · 16h 43m by car · AR → OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 89.364, putting Little Rock roughly 15.5% below Arvada on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Little Rock: 15.5% below Arvada on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 50.4" |
Climate warms by 11.4°F on the annual average — 50.3°F → 61.7°F.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.33 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.5% between Arvada and Little Rock (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 Colorado 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
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does household income compare in Arvada vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 46.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 15.5% lower than Arvada (89.364 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 50.3°F in Arvada (11.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 17.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Arvada 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 975 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 Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 975 mi and the route typically takes 16h 43m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 64.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Little Rock, AR.