Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Little Rock, AR
The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Little Rock, AR runs 1477 mi — about 25h 8m 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.
1477 mi · 25h 8m by car · UT → WY → CO → KS → OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → CO → KS → OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.868 to 89.364, putting Little Rock roughly 11.4% below Salt Lake City on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Little Rock: 11.4% below Salt Lake City on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 50.4" |
Climate warms by 5.9°F on the annual average — 55.8°F → 61.7°F.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.33 |
Income steps down 11.4%: $74,925 in Salt Lake City 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 Utah 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
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 does the job market in Little Rock compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 11.4% lower than Salt Lake City (89.364 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 19.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 1477 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1477 mi and the route typically takes 25h 8m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 62.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (5.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 17.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Little Rock, AR.