Moving from Ontario, CA to Little Rock, AR
A 1629 mi cross-country move between Ontario and Little Rock is 28h on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1629 mi Β· 28h by car Β· AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 65, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | 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 Ontario 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 $672,742 in Ontario to $216,519 in Little Rock, a 16.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 5.1Β°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA 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: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 16.0% less than Ontario at the median β $82,806 β $60,583 on 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 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 Ontario 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 1629 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario 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.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 26.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 16.0% lower than Ontario (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 Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 67.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 1629 mi and the route typically takes 28h via I 40 and US 65. 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Little Rock, AR.