Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Palm Bay, FL to Little Rock, AR runs 961 mi β about 18h 42m 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.
961 mi Β· 18h 42m by car Β· AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 280, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Birmingham, Columbus, Gainesville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Little Rock are 10.6% below Palm Bay β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Little Rock typical home at $216,519 is 10.6% under Palm Bay at $302,461 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 10.9Β°F on the annual average β 72.6Β°F β 61.7Β°F.
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: PALM BAY, FL US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.33 |
Income steps down 10.6%: $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $60,583 in Little Rock.
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 Florida 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 28.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 10.6% lower than Palm Bay (89.364 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 10.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 961 mi and the route typically takes 18h 42m via US 78 and US 280. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay 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 961 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Little Rock, AR.