Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Little Rock, AR
It is a 338 mi drive, roughly 5h 52m, between Oklahoma City, OK and Little Rock, AR. 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.
338 mi · 5h 52m by car · OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.408 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 $206,713 vs $216,519.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Oklahoma City (60.1°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: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.33 |
Households in Little Rock earn about 1.2% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Oklahoma 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
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 9.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 4.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 5h 52m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 1.2% lower than Oklahoma City (89.364 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 36.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Little Rock, AR.