Moving from Little Rock, AR to Broken Arrow, OK
Moving from Little Rock, AR to Broken Arrow, OK covers 261 mi and about 4h 31m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
261 mi · 4h 31m by car · AR → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 65, OK 351 |
| Major cities en route | Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Broken Arrow and Little Rock is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Broken Arrow is 0.2% above Little Rock — $216,519 vs $286,846 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | — |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (61.7°F) and Broken Arrow (60.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Broken Arrow is 0.2% above Little Rock ($60,583 vs $85,220, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Broken Arrow average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 261 mi and the route typically takes 4h 31m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 0.2% lower than Little Rock (89.214 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 261 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 32.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 40.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Broken Arrow, OK.