Moving from Little Rock, AR to Miami Gardens, FL
Relocating 1105 mi from Little Rock to Miami Gardens is a 21h 5m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1105 mi Β· 21h 5m by car Β· AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 280, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus, Gainesville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.364 in Little Rock to 114.155 in Miami Gardens, putting overall prices 27.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 27.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $216,519 to $469,434 moving to Miami Gardens.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 68.3" |
Expect 14.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 3.22 |
Median household incomes in Little Rock ($60,583) and Miami Gardens ($60,979) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 116.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1105 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 0.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 1105 mi and the route typically takes 21h 5m via US 78 and US 280. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 27.7% higher than Little Rock (114.155 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 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 Β· Miami Gardens, FL.