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Arkansas to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 1,621 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch-style vs mountain and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
  • Montana housing costs are 124% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in Montana is 7.08% more expensive than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to Montana movers is B2 Moving

Arkansas to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Montana

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Severe tornado threats
  • Limited mountain views
  • Higher humidity
  • Dense population areas
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cooler summer temperatures
  • More stable weather
  • Stunning mountain vistas
  • Lower humidity
  • More open spaces

Montana iconMontana
  • Fewer people, less community
  • Harsh winter conditions
  • Fewer BBQ restaurants
  • Colder winters
  • Fewer cultural events
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Southern hospitality
  • Lush greenery
  • Rich BBQ culture
  • Mild winters
  • Thriving local arts

Pros of moving from Arkansas to Montana

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to cooler summer temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from severe tornado threats and moving to Montana with more stable weather
  • Swap the limited mountain views of Arkansas for stunning mountain vistas in Montana
  • Get ready for lower humidity in Montana

Cons of moving from Arkansas to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Arkansas to live with fewer people and less community in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lush greenery and have to settle for the con of harsh winter conditions
  • Time to bid farewell to rich BBQ culture and get used to fewer BBQ restaurants in Montana
  • Swap mild winters for colder winters

Arkansas vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasMontana
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsBison Steak
Most popular street food itemFried PicklesElk Burgers
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean BurgersLentil Chili
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • South on Main
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • The Southern Gourmasian
  • Ted's Montana Grill
  • Cattleman's Cut Steakhouse
  • Uptown CafΓ©
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Fried Pickles, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers 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 Lentil Chili of Montana. 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 Gourmasian. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Ted's Montana Grill, Cattleman's Cut Steakhouse, and Uptown CafΓ©.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Montana

ComparisonArkansasMontana
Typical Architecture StyleRanch-styleMountain and Craftsman
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 listingLarge yards, access to natureScenic views, proximity to outdoor activities
  • The Ranch-style architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Craftsman architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and access to nature, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and proximity to outdoor activities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Montana is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Montana is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
  • Montana has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • Montana housing costs are 124% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in Montana is 7.08% more expensive than in Arkansas.

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

ComparisonArkansasMontana
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, floodsWildfires, floods
Air QualityGoodVery good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F / 72Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)51Β°F / 32Β°F34Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5015
Annual Snowfall (Inches)567
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Montana. Montana gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • Montana 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 wildfires and floods in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 6 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 15 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 35 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Montana

ComparisonArkansasMontana
Avg. Household Income$55,432$67,631
Cost of Living Index90.599.4
State Income Taxup to 5.5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%0.85%
Avg. Sales Tax9.47%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Retail, ManufacturingTourism, Mining, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 22% more than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in Montana is 10% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • Hooray, moving to MT means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to moderate in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is low in Montana compared to moderate in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and low in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Montana

ComparisonArkansasMontana
Political Make-upConservativeConservative with a growing liberal presence
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in local and state governmentMixed, with both Republican and Democratic strongholds
ReligionPrimarily Protestant ChristianMixed, with a significant Protestant Christian base and other religious groups
  • Arkansas tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with a growing liberal presence
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as mixed with a significant Protestant Christian base and other religious groups
  • Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Montana

ComparisonArkansasMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Montana State University
University of Montana
Carroll College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Interdistrict Elementary School
Little Rock; Forest Park Elementary
Little Rock; Vandergriff Elementary School
Fayetteville
Hawthorne Elementary School
Bozeman; Chief Joseph Elementary School
Bozeman; Cold Springs Elementary School
Missoula
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLISA Academy North Middle School
Sherwood; Haas Hall Academy
Fayetteville; Bentonville Middle School
Bentonville
Bozeman Middle School
Bozeman; Sacajawea Middle School
Bozeman; Washington Middle School
Missoula
Top 3 High School SchoolsHaas Hall Academy
Fayetteville; Bentonville High School
Bentonville; Central High School
Little Rock
Bozeman High School
Bozeman; Hellgate High School
Missoula; Sentinel High School
Missoula
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy
Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School
Springdale; Mount St. Mary Academy
Little Rock
Missoula International School
Missoula; Carroll College Prepatory
Helena; Montana Academy
Marion
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Anthony School
Little Rock; Subiaco Academy
Subiaco; Little Rock Christian Academy
Little Rock
Petra Academy
Bozeman; Foothills Community Christian School
Great Falls; Stillwater Christian School
Kalispell
Top 3 School DistrictsFayetteville School District
Bentonville Public Schools
Rogers Public Schools
Bozeman Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools

How Much Do Arkansas to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,621 miles from Arkansas to Montana will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,121300 ft3$7.07
1 Bedroom$3,160450 ft3$7.02
2 Bedrooms$5,229750 ft3$6.97
3 Bedrooms$7,6141100 ft3$6.92
4 Bedrooms$10,9951600 ft3$6.87
5+ Bedrooms$12,2791800 ft3$6.82

Top Arkansas to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Montana

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Elite Moving

Elite Moving

8.88/10
ALSO GREAT
Ron's Delivery & Moving

Ron's Delivery & Moving

8.81/10
Top Arkansas to Montana Routes

Little Rock to Montana