Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Little Rock, AR is a 1927 mi cross-country relocation β about 33h 41m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1927 mi Β· 33h 41m 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, CA 58 |
| 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
| Santa Clara | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 110.423 to 89.364, putting Little Rock roughly 19.1% below Santa Clara on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Little Rock: 19.1% below Santa Clara on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Little Rock gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 19.1% below Santa Clara ($173,670 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 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
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 19.1% lower than Santa Clara (89.364 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 87.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1927 mi and the route typically takes 33h 41m via I 40 and US 65. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 65.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara 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 1927 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Little Rock, AR.