Moving from Aurora, CO to Little Rock, AR
It is 950 mi between Aurora and Little Rock β roughly 16h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
950 mi Β· 16h 9m by car Β· CO β KS β OK β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β OK β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 40, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.5% cheaper overall in Little Rock than Aurora on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 50.4" |
Annual temperature rises 10.9Β°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 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 15.5% less than Aurora at the median β $84,320 β $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 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β 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 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 warmer climate (10.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora 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.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 950 mi and the route typically takes 16h 9m via I 70 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 53.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 15.5% lower than Aurora (89.364 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Aurora 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 950 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Little Rock, AR.