Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Little Rock, AR
It is 1626 mi and 28h 8m from Moreno Valley to Little Rock β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1626 mi Β· 28h 8m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 10, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.0% moving from Moreno Valley to Little Rock β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $551,284 in Moreno Valley to $216,519 in Little Rock, a 16.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 50.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.3Β°F vs 61.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.33 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.0% β $87,477 β $60,583 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Little Rock average 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β 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 Moreno Valley to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1626 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 Moreno Valley vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 30.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 16.0% lower than Moreno Valley (89.364 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 60.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1626 mi and the route typically takes 28h 8m via I 40 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Little Rock, AR.