Moving from Richardson, TX to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Richardson, TX to Little Rock, AR covers 313 mi and about 5h 29m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
313 mi Β· 5h 29m by car Β· AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, PGBT |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Garland, Allen, Mckinney, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Little Rock is 13.3% cheaper than Richardson overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Little Rock is 13.3% below Richardson β $440,400 vs $216,519 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Little Rock (61.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 13.3% below Richardson ($96,257 vs $60,583, 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 Texas 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.
- 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 does household income compare in Richardson vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 50.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 313 mi and the route typically takes 5h 29m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richardson 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 313 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 Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 13.3% lower than Richardson (89.364 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Little Rock, AR.