Moving from Boulder, CO to Little Rock, AR
A move from Boulder, CO to Little Rock, AR covers 985 mi and around 16h 53m of driving through 4 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.
985 mi · 16h 53m 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
| Boulder | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Little Rock are 15.1% below Boulder — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Little Rock typical home at $216,519 is 15.1% under Boulder at $964,531 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 50.4" |
Little Rock runs 10.2°F warmer on the annual average (51.5°F vs 61.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 15.1% below Boulder ($85,364 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 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 (10.2°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
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 51.5°F in Boulder (10.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 21.2 in.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 985 mi and the route typically takes 16h 53m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 15.1% lower than Boulder (89.364 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 29.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 77.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 985 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Little Rock, AR.