Moving from Little Rock, AR to Hampton, VA
It is 1046 mi between Little Rock and Hampton — roughly 19h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1046 mi · 19h 8m by car · AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville, Richmond, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $216,519 to $275,341 moving to Hampton.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (61.7°F) and Hampton (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Hampton averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.38 |
Households in Hampton earn about 9.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Hampton more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 9.6% higher than Little Rock (97.941 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 50.4 in.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 737,200 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 Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 11.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 27.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 1046 mi and the route typically takes 19h 8m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1046 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 Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Hampton, VA.