Moving from Denver, CO to Little Rock, AR
It is 958 mi between Denver and Little Rock — roughly 16h 20m 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.
958 mi · 16h 20m by car · CO → KS → OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS → OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 40, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | 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 |
Expect about 15.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Little Rock at 89.364 vs Denver at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $539,666 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature rises 10.3°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA normals.
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 15.5% less than Denver at the median — $91,681 → $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 — 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 (10.3°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 Denver vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $91,681 in Denver — a 33.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 958 mi and the route typically takes 16h 20m via I 70 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver 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.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 958 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 51.4°F in Denver (10.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $539,666 in Denver — a 59.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 15.5% lower than Denver (89.364 vs 105.782, 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Little Rock, AR.