Movers

DC to Arkansas Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 995 mile interstate move from DC to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (victorian and modern vs traditional and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce with Chicken Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
  • Arkansas housing costs are 67% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Arkansas is 45.15% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended DC to Arkansas movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to Arkansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Arkansas

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Snowy winters
  • Political atmosphere
ProsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Mild winters
  • Relaxed lifestyle

Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Fewer museums
  • Limited cuisine options
  • Car necessary
  • Fewer corporate jobs
DC iconDC
  • Cultural attractions
  • Diverse dining
  • Public transportation
  • Job opportunities

Pros of moving from DC to Arkansas

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Arkansas with less congestion
  • Swap the snowy winters of DC for mild winters in Arkansas
  • Get ready for a relaxed lifestyle in Arkansas

Cons of moving from DC to Arkansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural attractions in DC to live with fewer museums in Arkansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining and have to settle for the con of limited cuisine options
  • Time to bid farewell to public transportation and get used to cars being necessary in Arkansas
  • Swap job opportunities for fewer corporate jobs

DC vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCArkansas
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeFried Catfish
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce with Chicken WingsSmoked Pork Ribs
Most popular street food itemFood Trucks VarietyBarbecue Nachos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladBBQ Jackfruit Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Thai Café
  • Zaytinya
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Arkansas

ComparisonDCArkansas
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian and ModernTraditional and Craftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to Metro, Rooftop DecksLarge Yards, Proximity to Nature
  • The Victorian and Modern architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and rooftop decks, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Arkansas is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Arkansas is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Arkansas has less of an urban feel compared to DC.
  • Arkansas housing costs are 67% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased 41% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Arkansas is 45.15% more affordable than in DC.

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

ComparisonDCArkansas
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)88/7192/72
Average Winter High/Low (°F)47/2951/32
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39.7450.6
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.45
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 7% more sunshine days than DC.
  • Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in DC, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 4 degrees warmer than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 10.9 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Arkansas

ComparisonDCArkansas
Avg. Household Income$101,027$55,432
Cost of Living Index140.190.5
State Income Tax10.75%5.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.62%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.5%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, LawAgriculture, Manufacturing, Retail
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 45% less than in DC
  • The COLI in Arkansas is 35% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in AR is 5.5% compared to 10.75% in DC
  • The affluence in Arkansas is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to low in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in DC and low in Arkansas

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Arkansas

ComparisonDCArkansas
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticModerately to strongly Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive policies, high engagementMore conservative, varies by region
ReligionPluralistic, less religious overallEvangelical Protestant majority
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as moderately to strongly Republican
  • Arkansas' religious environment can be described as an evangelical Protestant majority
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as pluralistic and less religious overall

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Arkansas

ComparisonDCArkansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary
Mann Elementary
Lafayette Elementary
Baker Interdistrict Elementary
Vandergriff Elementary
Forest Park Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Alice Deal Middle School
Lisa Academy North Middle
McNair Middle School
Fulbright Junior High
Top 3 High SchoolsBenjamin Banneker High School
School Without Walls High School
McKinley Technology High School
Haas Hall Academy
Bentonville High School
Rogers High School
Top 3 private high schoolsGeorgetown Day School
Sidwell Friends School
Maret School
Pulaski Academy
Little Rock Christian Academy
Shiloh Christian School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWashington International School
British International School of Washington
Edmund Burke School
The Anthony School
Little Rock Christian Academy
Subiaco Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
KIPP DC
Basis DC
Bentonville School District
Fayetteville Public Schools
Little Rock School District

How Much Do DC to Arkansas Movers Cost?

Moving 995 miles from DC to Arkansas 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$1,767300 ft3$5.89
1 Bedroom$2,627450 ft3$5.84
2 Bedrooms$4,341750 ft3$5.79
3 Bedrooms$6,3121100 ft3$5.74
4 Bedrooms$9,1021600 ft3$5.69
5+ Bedrooms$10,1491800 ft3$5.64

Top DC to Arkansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Arkansas

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

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details

Washington DC to Arkansas