Moving from Little Rock, AR to Aurora, IL
A move from Little Rock, AR to Aurora, IL covers 627 mi and around 11h 52m of driving through 3 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.
627 mi · 11h 52m by car · AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 67, US 167 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Joliet, Naperville, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 89.364 in Little Rock to 103.595 in Aurora, a 15.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Aurora: 15.9% above Little Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 39.5" |
Aurora is 11.5°F cooler on the annual average (61.7°F vs 50.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.98 |
Median household income in Aurora is 15.9% above Little Rock ($60,583 vs $90,109, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.5°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 627 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (11.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 50.4 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 15.9% higher than Little Rock (103.595 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 46.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 48.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 627 mi and the route typically takes 11h 52m via I 55 and US 67. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Aurora, IL.