Moving from Little Rock, AR to Atlanta, GA
A move from Little Rock, AR to Atlanta, GA covers 521 mi and around 9h 36m of driving through 5 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.
521 mi Β· 9h 36m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β TN β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β TN β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, I 20, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Atlanta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 89.364 in Little Rock to 100.058 in Atlanta, a 12.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Atlanta: 12.0% above Little Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Atlanta -3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 48.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 499,287 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $81,938 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 32.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.16 |
Median household income in Atlanta is 12.0% above Little Rock ($60,583 vs $81,938, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Atlanta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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-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 Atlanta average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Atlanta, GA from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 521 mi and the route typically takes 9h 36m via I 22 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Atlanta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 521 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 Atlanta compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Atlanta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,938 in Atlanta vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 35.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Atlanta more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Atlanta is 12.0% higher than Little Rock (100.058 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Atlanta compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $385,599 in Atlanta vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 78.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· Atlanta, GA.