Moving from Birmingham, AL to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Little Rock, AR covers 377 mi and about 6h 57m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
377 mi · 6h 57m by car · AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, I 40, I 630 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Birmingham (91.644) and Little Rock (89.364) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Little Rock: 2.5% above Birmingham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 2.5% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $60,583, ACS 5-year 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 Alabama 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
- 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 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 Birmingham and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 56.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 377 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 59.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 377 mi and the route typically takes 6h 57m via US 78 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 36.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 2.5% lower than Birmingham (89.364 vs 91.644, 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 Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Little Rock, AR.