Moving from Kent, WA to Little Rock, AR
A 2256 mi cross-country move between Kent and Little Rock is 38h 48m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2256 mi Β· 38h 48m by car Β· AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 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
| Kent | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.6% cheaper overall in Little Rock than Kent on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature rises 7.9Β°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: KENT, WA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 19.6% less than Kent at the median β $90,416 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 Washington 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 Kent 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 2256 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $90,416 in Kent β a 33.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $656,314 in Kent β a 67.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2256 mi and the route typically takes 38h 48m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 19.6% lower than Kent (89.364 vs 111.133, 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Little Rock, AR.