Arkansas to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 544 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like sizzling summers vs milder temperatures), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Kentucky Hot Brown), real estate & housing (traditional, ranch vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kentucky), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in Kentucky is 0.52% more affordable than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Arkansas to Kentucky movers is B2 Moving
Arkansas to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Kentucky
- Sizzling summers
- Limited public transport
- Higher crime rates
- Fewer cultural amenities
- Milder temperatures
- Efficient transit options
- Safer neighborhoods
- Rich cultural heritage
- Higher housing costs
- More crowded areas
- Less tight-knit towns
- Less wilderness access
- Low cost of living
- Quieter lifestyle
- Close-knit communities
- Natural beauty
Pros of moving from Arkansas to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to sizzling summers and hello to milder temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Kentucky with efficient transit options
- Swap the higher crime rates of Arkansas for safer neighborhoods in Kentucky
- Get ready for rich cultural heritage in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Arkansas to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Arkansas to live with higher housing costs in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter lifestyle and have to settle for the con of more crowded areas
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to less tight-knit towns in Kentucky
- Swap natural beauty for less wilderness access
Arkansas vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Kentucky Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegetable Jambalaya |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Kentucky Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Tamales, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Jambalaya of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Root Cafe, and Sims Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel (Hot Brown), William Augustus, and The Trustee's Table.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Kentucky
Comparison | Arkansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional, Ranch | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Proximity to nature | Historic properties, Proximity to parks |
- The Traditional and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Kentucky is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Kentucky is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- Kentucky has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- Kentucky housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in Kentucky is 0.52% more affordable than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Kentucky
Comparison | Arkansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 72Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 44Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 11" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- Kentucky has higher 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 tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky 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 Kentucky. Kentucky receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Kentucky
Comparison | Arkansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 5.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail Trade | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 7% more than those in Arkansas
- The COLI in Kentucky is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in KY is 5.0% compared to 5.9% in AR
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to that in Arkansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to that in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Arkansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, more liberal in urban areas like Little Rock | Conservative across the state, with liberal pockets in cities like Louisville and Lexington |
Religion | Primarily Protestant, strong Baptist presence | Primarily Protestant, notable Catholic communities |
- Arkansas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with notable Catholic communities
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant with a strong Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Kentucky
Comparison | Arkansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School Fayetteville Root Elementary School Fayetteville Vandergriff Elementary School Fayetteville | Beechwood Elementary School Fort Mitchell Anchorage Public School Anchorage Rosa Parks Elementary School Lexington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville Woodland Junior High School Fayetteville McNair Middle School Fayetteville | Beechwood High School (7-12) Fort Mitchell Glasgow Middle School Glasgow Meyzeek Middle School Louisville |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville Bentonville High School Bentonville Rogers High School Rogers | DuPont Manual High School Louisville Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell Highlands High School Fort Thomas |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy Little Rock Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock Shiloh Christian School Springdale | Louisville Collegiate School Louisville The Lexington School Lexington Sayre School Lexington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Shiloh Christian School Springdale Subiaco Academy Subiaco The New School Fayetteville | Sayre School Lexington Louisville Collegiate School Louisville The Lexington School Lexington |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayetteville School District Fayetteville Bentonville School District Bentonville Rogers School District Rogers | Fayette County Public Schools Lexington Jefferson County Public Schools Louisville Daviess County Public Schools Owensboro |
How Much Do Arkansas to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 544 miles from Arkansas to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,511 | 300 ft3 | $5.04 |
1 Bedroom | $2,244 | 450 ft3 | $4.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,702 | 750 ft3 | $4.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,375 | 1100 ft3 | $4.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,738 | 1600 ft3 | $4.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,615 | 1800 ft3 | $4.79 |
Top Arkansas to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.