Moving from Little Rock, AR to Overland Park, KS
It is a 411 mi drive, roughly 7h 26m, between Little Rock, AR and Overland Park, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
411 mi · 7h 26m by car · AR → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 65, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Lee S Summit, Olathe, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Little Rock and Overland Park sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $216,519 in Little Rock to $482,295 in Overland Park, a 3.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 40.7" |
Annual temperature drops 6.6°F moving to Overland Park per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Overland Park sees 13.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.38 |
Overland Park households earn about 3.6% more than Little Rock at the median — $60,583 → $103,838 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Overland Park MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Winter gear first: Overland Park averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Overland Park more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 3.6% higher than Little Rock (92.543 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 Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (6.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 50.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Overland Park?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 411 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 71.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 411 mi and the route typically takes 7h 26m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 122.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 · Overland Park, KS.