Moving from Tulsa, OK to Little Rock, AR
Moving from Tulsa, OK to Little Rock, AR covers 268 mi and about 4h 38m 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.
268 mi · 4h 38m by car · OK → AR
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, OK 351, OK 51 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Tulsa (89.214) and Little Rock (89.364) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $217,450 vs $216,519 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tulsa | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 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 1991–2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.33 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Oklahoma 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 much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $217,450 in Tulsa — a 0.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $58,407 in Tulsa — a 3.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa 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 268 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 0.2% higher than Tulsa (89.364 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Tulsa and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 61.3°F in Tulsa (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 8.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 41.0 in.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 268 mi and the route typically takes 4h 38m via I 40 and OK 351. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK · Little Rock, AR.