Moving from Springfield, MO to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Springfield, MO to Little Rock, AR covers 214 mi and about 4h 46m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
214 mi · 4h 46m by car · AR → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 65, US 62, US 412 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Little Rock and Springfield is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Little Rock is 0.9% below Springfield ($216,519 vs $242,870 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Springfield | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 50.4" |
Little Rock runs 5.3°F warmer on the annual average (56.4°F vs 61.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Little Rock is 0.9% above Springfield ($45,984 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 Missouri 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.
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 household income compare in Springfield vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $45,984 in Springfield — a 31.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 214 mi and the route typically takes 4h 46m via US 65 and US 62. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 0.9% higher than Springfield (89.364 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $242,870 in Springfield — a 10.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO · Little Rock, AR.