Moving from Naperville, IL to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Naperville, IL to Little Rock, AR runs 626 mi β about 11h 46m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
626 mi Β· 11h 46m by car Β· AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 67, US 167 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Joliet, Aurora, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.595 to 89.364, putting Little Rock roughly 13.7% below Naperville on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Little Rock: 13.7% below Naperville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 50.4" |
Climate warms by 12.5Β°F on the annual average β 49.2Β°F β 61.7Β°F.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.33 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.7% between Naperville and Little Rock (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 Illinois 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 64.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 13.7% lower than Naperville (89.364 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 59.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Naperville 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 626 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 626 mi and the route typically takes 11h 46m via I 55 and US 67. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 4,506,800 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 Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Little Rock, AR.