Moving from Lubbock, TX to Little Rock, AR
Relocating 616 mi from Lubbock to Little Rock is a 11h 18m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
616 mi · 11h 18m by car · TX → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 82, TX 114, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.317 vs 89.364 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $209,436 vs $216,519.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lubbock | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Lubbock (61.8°F) and Little Rock (61.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Little Rock averages 3.8 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: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.33 |
Median household incomes in Lubbock ($60,487) and Little Rock ($60,583) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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 Little Rock average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May — identify a safe room 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 616 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 616 mi and the route typically takes 11h 18m via US 82 and TX 114. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $209,436 in Lubbock — a 3.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 2.1% lower than Lubbock (89.364 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $60,487 in Lubbock — a 0.2% 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 Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX · Little Rock, AR.