Moving from Palmdale, CA to Little Rock, AR
It is 1634 mi and 28h 16m from Palmdale to Little Rock — 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.
1634 mi · 28h 16m by car · AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → 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
| Palmdale | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in Palmdale to 89.364 in Little Rock, a 21.3% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $501,257 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Palmdale (63.6°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: PALMDALE, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.33 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.3% — $81,151 → $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 — 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.
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 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 far is Little Rock, AR from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1634 mi and the route typically takes 28h 16m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 56.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 1634 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 21.3% lower than Palmdale (89.364 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 25.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 7.3 in.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 6,185,570 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Little Rock, AR.