Movers

Arkansas to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 994 mile interstate move from Arkansas to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (traditional and ranch vs victorian and row houses), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce with Chicken Wings
  • DC housing costs are 205% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in DC is 82.33% more expensive than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to DC movers is Bookstore Movers

Arkansas vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasDC
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsMumbo Sauce with Chicken Wings
Most popular street food itemBBQ Pulled Pork SandwichKorean Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean BurgerQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Sims Bar-B-Que
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • The Southern Gourmasian
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Thai CafΓ©
  • Busboys and Poets
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Arkansas to DC, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce with Chicken Wings and Korean Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like Sims Bar-B-Que, McClard's Bar-B-Q, and The Southern Gourmasian. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rosa's Thai CafΓ©, and Busboys and Poets.

When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and DC

ComparisonArkansasDC
Typical Architecture StyleTraditional and RanchVictorian and Row Houses
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, Peaceful settingsProximity to metros, Rooftop decks
  • The Traditional and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Row Houses architecture typical of DC.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and peaceful settings, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metros and rooftop decks.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
  • DC has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • DC housing costs are 205% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8%, compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in DC is 82.33% more expensive than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and DC

ComparisonArkansasDC
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, floodsStorms, occasional hurricanes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 72Β°F87Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°F / 32Β°F44Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"40"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"15.5"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to DC. DC gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • DC has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential storms and occasional hurricanes in DC.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 5 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and DC

ComparisonArkansasDC
Avg. Household Income$55,432$101,027
Cost of Living Index90.5140.1
State Income Tax5.9%8.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%0.55%
Avg. Sales Tax9.47%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Retail, ManufacturingGovernment, Education, Finance
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyHigherLower
HomelessnessLowHigher
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 82% more than those in Arkansas
  • The COLI in DC is 55% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • The state income tax in DC is 8.5% compared to 5.9% in AR
  • The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is lower in DC compared to a higher level in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and higher in DC

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. DC

ComparisonArkansasDC
Political Make-upConservative-leaningLiberal-leaning
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in local and state electionsDemocratic dominance in local government and congressional representation
ReligionHigher prevalence of Protestants and EvangelicalsMixed religious landscape with a significant number of non-religious residents
  • Arkansas tends to lean conservative-leaning in its political climate
  • DC, on the other hand, is often described as liberal-leaning
  • DC's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape with a significant number of non-religious residents
  • Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a higher prevalence of Protestants and Evangelicals

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to DC

ComparisonArkansasDC
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
George Washington University
Georgetown University
American University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Elementary (Little Rock)
Forest Park Elementary (Fort Smith)
Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville)
Janney Elementary
Mann Elementary
Lafayette Elementary (All in Washington DC)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsHaas Hall Academy (Fayetteville)
LISA Academy (Little Rock)
Bentonville Middle School (Bentonville)
Deal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School (All in Washington DC)
Top 3 High SchoolsHaas Hall Academy (Fayetteville)
Bentonville High School (Bentonville)
Central High School (Little Rock)
School Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
Wilson High School (All in Washington DC)
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Shiloh Christian School (Springdale)
Mount St. Mary Academy (Little Rock)
Sidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
St. Albans School (All in Washington DC)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe New School (Fayetteville)
Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock)
Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock)
Sidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
National Cathedral School (All in Washington DC)
Top 3 School DistrictsBentonville School District
Fayetteville Public Schools
Rogers Public Schools
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

How Much Do Arkansas to DC Movers Cost?

Moving 994 miles from Arkansas to DC will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,766300 ft3$5.89
1 Bedroom$2,627450 ft3$5.84
2 Bedrooms$4,340750 ft3$5.79
3 Bedrooms$6,3101100 ft3$5.74
4 Bedrooms$9,0991600 ft3$5.69
5+ Bedrooms$10,1461800 ft3$5.64

Top Arkansas to DC Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details