Moving from Cleveland, OH to Little Rock, AR
A move from Cleveland, OH to Little Rock, AR covers 871 mi and around 16h 4m 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.
871 mi Β· 16h 4m by car Β· OH β KY β TN β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 71, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Little Rock and Cleveland is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Little Rock is 4.9% above Cleveland β $115,537 vs $216,519 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 50.4" |
Little Rock runs 9.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.3Β°F vs 61.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 4.9% above Cleveland ($39,187 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 Ohio 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Cleveland 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 871 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 54.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 87.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 871 mi and the route typically takes 16h 4m via I 40 and I 71. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 4.9% lower than Cleveland (89.364 vs 93.923, 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 Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Little Rock, AR.