Indiana to Arkansas Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 616 mile interstate move from Indiana to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winter climate), food & health (like Hoosier Pie vs Arkansas BBQ), real estate & housing (midwestern, colonial vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Indiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hoosier Pie and Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Arkansas BBQ & Fried Catfish
- Arkansas housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Arkansas is 2.47% more affordable than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Indiana to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving

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

B2 Moving
Best moving company overall for Indiana to Arkansas

MVM Moving & Storage

Bulldogs Moving Co.
Indiana to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Arkansas
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Flat landscapes
- Limited outdoor recreation
- Mild winter climate
- Lower cost of living
- Beautiful mountains
- Outdoor adventure opportunities
- Starting over in a new place
- Job market variability
- Developing infrastructure
- Adjusting to new social norms
- Familiarity and roots
- Diverse job market
- Well-developed infrastructure
- Established community life
Pros of moving from Indiana to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild winter climate
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Arkansas with a lower cost of living
- Swap the flat landscapes of Indiana for beautiful mountains in Arkansas
- Get ready for outdoor adventure opportunities in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Indiana to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from familiarity and roots in Indiana to live with starting over in a new place in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of job market variability
- Time to bid farewell to well-developed infrastructure and get used to developing infrastructure in Arkansas
- Swap established community life for adjusting to new social norms
Indiana vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hoosier Pie | Arkansas BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Elote | Smoked Sausages |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Wings | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Indiana to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Hoosier Pie of Indiana for the equally delicious Arkansas BBQ of Arkansas. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and sumptuous Elote, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Smoked Sausages to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Milktooth, and Bluebeard. 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 Southern Grist, and Doe's Eat Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Arkansas
Comparison | Indiana | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Midwestern, Colonial | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, hardwood floors | Large plots, proximity to nature |
- The Midwestern and Colonial architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and hardwood floors, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large plots and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Indiana.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Arkansas housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Arkansas is 2.47% more affordable than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Arkansas
Comparison | Indiana | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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, severe thunderstorms, flooding, winter storms/ice, occasional heat waves | Tornadoes (Dixie Alley), severe thunderstorms, flooding, heat waves, occasional ice storms; remnants of tropical systems; minor earthquake risk in NE |
Air Quality | Generally Good-Moderate; occasional ozone/PM2.5 spikes in summer/winter | Generally Good-Moderate; more summer ozone days in metro areas; occasional wildfire smoke intrusions |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85degF / 66degF | 93degF / 73degF |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36degF / 20degF | 51degF / 33degF |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 17% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- Arkansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, winter storms or ice, and occasional heat waves in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes in Dixie Alley, severe thunderstorms, flooding, heat waves, and occasional ice storms, remnants of tropical systems, and a minor earthquake risk in northeastern Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 8 degrees warmer than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Arkansas
Comparison | Indiana | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 5.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.00% | 9.51% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 17% less than those in Indiana
- The COLI in Arkansas is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in AR is 5.90% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Arkansas is low compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
- The poverty level is high in Arkansas compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Indiana and low in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Indiana | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican in federal elections | Strongly Republican in both state and federal elections |
Local Politics | Mixed, with some urban areas leaning Democratic | Largely Republican, with fewer Democratic strongholds |
Religion | Christian majority, with a sizeable Roman Catholic community | Strongly evangelical Protestant |
- Indiana tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in federal elections in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican in both state and federal elections
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as strongly evangelical Protestant
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a sizeable Roman Catholic community
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Arkansas
Comparison | Indiana | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Bloomington; Purdue University West Lafayette; Ball State University Muncie | University of Arkansas Fayetteville; Arkansas State University Jonesboro; University of Central Arkansas Conway |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Carmel Elementary Carmel; Forest Dale Elementary Carmel; West Clay Elementary Carmel | Lisa Academy Little Rock; Don Roberts Elementary Little Rock; Central Park-Morning Star Elementary Bentonville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Carmel Middle School Carmel; Clay Middle School Carmel; Riverside Junior High Fishers | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Woodland Junior High School Fayetteville; Central Park-Morning Star Middle School Bentonville |
Top 3 High Schools | Carmel High School Carmel; Zionsville High School Zionsville; Fishers High School Fishers | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Bentonville High School Bentonville; Har-Ber High School Springdale |
Top 3 private high schools | The Culver Academies Culver; Park Tudor School Indianapolis; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis | Pulaski Academy Little Rock; Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock; Mount Saint Mary Academy Little Rock |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Park Tudor School Indianapolis; The Orchard School Indianapolis; International School of Indiana Indianapolis | Pulaski Academy Little Rock; The New School Fayetteville; Subiaco Academy Subiaco |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel; Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville; Hamilton Southeastern Schools Fishers | Bentonville School District Bentonville; Fayetteville School District Fayetteville; Rogers School District Rogers |
How Much Do Indiana to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 616 miles from Indiana to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,552 | 300 ft3 | $5.17 |
1 Bedroom | $2,305 | 450 ft3 | $5.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,804 | 750 ft3 | $5.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,525 | 1100 ft3 | $5.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,956 | 1600 ft3 | $4.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,860 | 1800 ft3 | $4.92 |