Moving from Laredo, TX to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Laredo, TX to Little Rock, AR runs 740 mi — about 12h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
740 mi · 12h 58m by car · TX → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Laredo (86.956) 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
Home prices line up — $220,331 vs $216,519 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 13.3°F on the annual average — 75.0°F → 61.7°F.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.33 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Texas 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.
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 colder climate (13.3°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 far is Little Rock, AR from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 740 mi and the route typically takes 12h 58m via I 35 and I 30. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Laredo and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 75.0°F in Laredo (13.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 19.7 in.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 2.8% higher than Laredo (89.364 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 1.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 740 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 Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · Little Rock, AR.