Arkansas to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 1,225 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (traditional and craftsman vs spanish colonial and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 112% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in Arizona is 45.41% more expensive than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Arkansas to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arkansas to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Arizona
- High humidity
- Frequent tornadoes
- Limited job opportunities
- Higher rural population
- Fewer healthcare facilities
- Dry climate
- Less extreme weather
- Growing job market
- Urban lifestyle
- Access to top hospitals
- Higher living expenses
- Scorching summers
- Less personal space
- Crowded cities
- Desert landscapes
- Lower cost of living
- Mild winters
- Strong community ties
- Close-knit neighborhoods
- Natural green spaces
Pros of moving from Arkansas to Arizona
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry climate
- Look forward to moving away from frequent tornadoes and moving to Arizona with less extreme weather
- Swap the limited job opportunities of Arkansas for a growing job market in Arizona
- Get ready for an urban lifestyle in Arizona
Cons of moving from Arkansas to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with higher living expenses in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of scorching summers
- Time to bid farewell to strong community ties and get used to less personal space in Arizona
- Swap close-knit neighborhoods for crowded cities
Arkansas vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Chimichanga |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Nachos | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Burgers | Vegetable Tamales |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arkansas to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous BBQ Nachos, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Tamales of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like South on Main, McClard's Bar-B-Q, and The Southern Standard. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like El Charro CafΓ©, Pizzeria Bianco, and FnB.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Arizona
Comparison | Arkansas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional and Craftsman | Spanish Colonial and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Swimming pools, outdoor living spaces |
- The Traditional and Craftsman architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Modern architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and outdoor living spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- Arizona housing costs are 112% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in Arizona is 45.41% more expensive than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Arizona
Comparison | Arkansas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Wildfires, Heatwaves |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 105Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 32Β°F | 68Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 0 - 100+ |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Arkansas to Arizona. Arizona gets 38% more sunshine days than Arkansas.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 15 degrees warmer than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 37 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Arizona
Comparison | Arkansas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.9% | 4.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.61% | 0.72% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 8.4% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail | Tourism, Real Estate, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 35% more than in Arkansas
- The COLI in Arizona is 12% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in AZ is 4.5% compared to 4.9% in AR
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Arkansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to high in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and high in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Arizona
Comparison | Arkansas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican | Swing state with recent leanings towards Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative policies in rural areas; progressive in cities like Little Rock | Mix of conservative and liberal policies, with liberal policies more evident in Phoenix and Tucson |
Religion | Highly religious; predominant Christian denominations | More religiously diverse, with a significant number of people identifying as non-religious |
- Arkansas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with recent leanings towards Democratic
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse with a significant number of people identifying as non-religious
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Arizona
Comparison | Arkansas | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School Little Rock | Vandergriff Elementary School Fayetteville | Forest Park Elementary Little Rock | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale | Knox Gifted Academy Chandler | Archway Classical Academy Phoenix |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lisa Academy North Middle School Sherwood | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville | Fulbright Junior High Bentonville | Basis Chandler Chandler | Basis Peoria Peoria | Basis Oro Valley Oro Valley |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville | Bentonville High School Bentonville | Arkansas School for Mathematics Sciences and the Arts Hot Springs | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale | Basis Oro Valley Oro Valley | Basis Peoria Peoria |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy Little Rock | Episcopal Collegiate School Little Rock | Mount St. Mary Academy Little Rock | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix | Xavier College Preparatory Phoenix | The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Subiaco Academy Subiaco | Arkansas Baptist School System Little Rock | Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock | Phoenix Country Day School Paradise Valley | Rancho Solano Preparatory School Scottsdale | The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville School District Bentonville | Fayetteville Public Schools Fayetteville | Rogers School District Rogers | Scottsdale Unified School District Scottsdale | Catalina Foothills School District Tucson | Chandler Unified School District Chandler |
How Much Do Arkansas to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,225 miles from Arkansas to Arizona will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,897 | 300 ft3 | $6.32 |
1 Bedroom | $2,823 | 450 ft3 | $6.27 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,667 | 750 ft3 | $6.22 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,791 | 1100 ft3 | $6.17 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,797 | 1600 ft3 | $6.12 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,932 | 1800 ft3 | $6.07 |
Top Arkansas to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Arizona