Arkansas to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 845 mile interstate move from Arkansas to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs mild climate), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Smoked Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern NC BBQ
- North Carolina housing costs are 62% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in North Carolina is 31.62% more expensive than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Arkansas to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
Arkansas to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to North Carolina
- Hot summers
- Limited mountains
- Fewer tech jobs
- Less cultural diversity
- Mild climate
- Scenic Blue Ridge Mountains
- Tech industry growth
- Rich cultural mix
- Higher property prices
- More crowded cities
- Busy urban areas
- Adjusting to new environment
- Affordable housing
- Lower population density
- Quiet lifestyle
- Familiar surroundings
Pros of moving from Arkansas to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited mountains and moving to North Carolina with scenic Blue Ridge Mountains
- Swap the fewer tech jobs of Arkansas for tech industry growth in North Carolina
- Get ready for a rich cultural mix in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Arkansas to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Arkansas to live with higher property prices in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower population density and have to settle for the con of more crowded cities
- Time to bid farewell to a quiet lifestyle and get used to busy urban areas in North Carolina
- Swap familiar surroundings for adjusting to a new environment
Arkansas vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Ribs | Eastern NC BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Arkansas Cheese Dip | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Carolina-style Tofu |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Ribs and sumptuous Arkansas Cheese Dip, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC BBQ and Hot Dogs 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 Carolina-style Tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like South on Main, McClard's BBQ, and Doe's Eat Place. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like The Pit, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Cook Out.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and North Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, countryside | Proximity to amenities, modern kitchens |
- The Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and countryside, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and modern kitchens.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; North Carolina is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- North Carolina housing costs are 62% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in North Carolina is 31.62% more expensive than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and North Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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, Storms | Hurricanes, Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92/72 | 88/67 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 52/32 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 53 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 7 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- North Carolina has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and storms in North Carolina.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 4 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and North Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.61% | 0.86% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.53% | 6.99% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing | Technology, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 22% more than in Arkansas
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 5.9% in AR
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to modest in Arkansas
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to moderate in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Swing state, with mixed political leanings |
Local Politics | Largely conservative, especially in rural areas | Diverse political views, urban areas lean more Democratic |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Moderately religious, varied religious communities |
- Arkansas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with mixed political leanings
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as moderately religious with varied religious communities
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to North Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville) | Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) Sterling Montessori Academy (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | LISA Academy North Middle (Sherwood) Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville Middle | Community House Middle School (Charlotte) Jay M. Robinson Middle (Charlotte) Ligon Middle School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School Little Rock Central High School | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) The Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) Raleigh Charter High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) | Charlotte Latin School Durham Academy Cary Academy |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Subiaco Academy Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) Mount St. Mary Academy (Little Rock) | Charlotte Country Day School Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) Greensboro Day School |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Little Rock School District | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Arkansas to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 845 miles from Arkansas to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,682 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,500 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,129 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,001 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,648 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,639 | 1800 ft3 | $5.36 |
Top Arkansas to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Arkansas to North Carolina