Moving from Little Rock, AR to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 1228 mi between Little Rock and Elizabeth — roughly 22h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1228 mi · 22h 48m by car · AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville, Allentown, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.364 in Little Rock to 112.563 in Elizabeth, putting overall prices 26.0% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 26.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $216,519 to $534,667 moving to Elizabeth.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.2°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA normals.
Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.96 |
Households in Elizabeth earn about 26.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 1228 mi and the route typically takes 22h 48m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 146.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 5.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (6.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 50.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 26.0% higher than Little Rock (112.563 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 · Elizabeth, NJ.