Idaho to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,807 mile interstate move from Idaho to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (modern farmhouse vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Elk Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Arkansas is 18.53% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Arkansas movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Arkansas
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Higher cost of living
- Remote location
- Milder climate
- Growing job opportunities
- Affordable housing
- Central position
- Fewer mountain views
- Higher crime rates
- Limited winter sports
- Cultural adjustment
- Natural beauty
- Low crime rates
- Outdoor activities
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Idaho to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Arkansas with growing job opportunities
- Swap the higher cost of living in Idaho for affordable housing in Arkansas
- Get ready for a central position in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Idaho to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Idaho to live with fewer mountain views in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to limited winter sports in Arkansas
- Swap close-knit communities for a cultural adjustment
Idaho vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Elk Steak | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Black Bean Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Elk Steak and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Fried Pickles 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 Black Bean Burger of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, State & Lemp, and The Modern Hotel and Bar. 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, The Pantry, and South on Main.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Arkansas
Comparison | Idaho | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern Farmhouse | Craftsman |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Lakeside properties, historic homes |
- The Modern Farmhouse architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and historic homes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Arkansas is less walkable than Idaho.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike as Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Arkansas housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Idaho with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Arkansas is 18.53% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Arkansas
Comparison | Idaho | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Varies; Mostly Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 40°F | 92°F / 72°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 34°F / 15°F | 51°F / 32°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18-40 | 40-60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19-300+ | 5-20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 5% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, 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 7 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Arkansas
Comparison | Idaho | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 1.125% to 6.925% | 2% to 5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Retail, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 24% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Arkansas is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in AR is 2% to 5.5% compared to 1.125% to 6.925% in ID
- The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to low poverty in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Idaho and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Idaho | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Republican-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Moderate to conservative, particularly outside Boise | Moderately conservative, varies by region |
Religion | Mormonism significant, alongside Protestant and Catholic | Primarily Protestant, with a strong Baptist presence |
- Idaho tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, with a strong Baptist presence
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as significant Mormonism, alongside Protestantism and Catholicism
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Arkansas
Comparison | Idaho | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Idaho Boise State University Idaho State University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary School (Boise) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Jefferson Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School (Boise) East Junior High School (Boise) Lakeside Middle School (Plummer) | Lisa Academy North Middle School (Sherwood) Fulbright Junior High School (Bentonville) McNair Middle School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Central High School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) Riverstone International School (Boise) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise Independent District Coeur d'Alene School District Blaine County School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville School District Rogers School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,807 miles from Idaho to Arkansas will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,227 | 300 ft3 | $7.42 |
1 Bedroom | $3,318 | 450 ft3 | $7.37 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,492 | 750 ft3 | $7.32 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,000 | 1100 ft3 | $7.27 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,557 | 1600 ft3 | $7.22 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,912 | 1800 ft3 | $7.17 |
Top Idaho to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.