Kentucky to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 547 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe weather events vs mild climates), food & health (like Kentucky Fried Chicken vs Arkansas Cheese Dip), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kentucky), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Kentucky Fried Chicken and Bourbon BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Arkansas Cheese Dip & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Arkansas is 0.52% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Kentucky to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Arkansas
- Severe weather events
- Limited job opportunities
- High humidity
- Isolated rural areas
- Expensive horse farms
- Mild climates
- Growing job market
- Comfortable summers
- Vibrant urban life
- Affordable living
- Lacks local spirits
- Fewer signature events
- Less cultural heritage
- Fewer national parks
- Fewer close-knit communities
- Bourbon distilleries
- Kentucky Derby
- Rich history
- Lush horse country
- Homey small towns
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to severe weather events and hello to mild climates
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Arkansas with a growing job market
- Swap the high humidity of Kentucky for comfortable summers in Arkansas
- Get ready for a vibrant urban life in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from bourbon distilleries in Kentucky to live with a lack of local spirits in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of the Kentucky Derby and have to settle for the con of fewer signature events
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to less cultural heritage in Arkansas
- Swap lush horse country for fewer national parks
Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Kentucky Fried Chicken | Arkansas Cheese Dip |
Most popular meat dish | Bourbon BBQ Ribs | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Fried Catfish |
Most popular vegan food | Fried Green Tomatoes | 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 Kentucky to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Kentucky Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Arkansas Cheese Dip of Arkansas. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Bourbon BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Fried Catfish to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Fried Green Tomatoes 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 Kentucky eateries like The Lady & Sons, Dudley's on Short, and Holly Hill Inn. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like South on Main, Whole Hog CafΓ©, and McClard's Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Arkansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, proximity to schools | Lake access, scenic views |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to schools, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and scenic views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arkansas is less walkable than Kentucky.
- Arkansas is similarly bike-friendly to Kentucky.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Arkansas housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Arkansas is 0.52% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Arkansas
Comparison | Kentucky | 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, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 23Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 11% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 5 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Arkansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.00 | 5.50 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83 | 0.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00 | 6.50 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Retail, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Noticeable | Widespread |
Homelessness | Concerning | Improving |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 7% less than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Arkansas is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 5.50 compared to 5.00 in Kentucky
- The affluence in Arkansas is varied compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is widespread in Arkansas compared to noticeable poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Kentucky and improving in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative, with rural areas leaning more strongly Republican and urban areas more Democratic | Conservative, with a strong Republican presence in both urban and rural regions |
Local Politics | Diverse, with a mix of Republican and Democratic leadership depending on the area | Largely Republican leadership at both state and local levels |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a significant presence of Baptist and Methodist denominations | Strongly Christian, with a high concentration of Baptist followers |
- Kentucky tends to lean moderately conservative in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with a strong Republican presence in both urban and rural regions
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as strongly Christian with a high concentration of Baptist followers
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with a significant presence of Baptist and Methodist denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Arkansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky Lexington; University of Louisville Louisville; Western Kentucky University Bowling Green | University of Arkansas Fayetteville; Arkansas State University Jonesboro; University of Central Arkansas Conway |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington; Brandeis Elementary Louisville; Mann Elementary Union | Baker Interdistrict Elementary Little Rock; Vandergriff Elementary Fayetteville; Forest Park Elementary Little Rock |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville; Beaumont Middle School Lexington; South Oldham Middle School Crestwood | Lisa Academy Little Rock; Thaden School Bentonville; Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High Louisville; Highlands High Fort Thomas; North Oldham High Goshen | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Bentonville High Bentonville; Little Rock Central High Little Rock |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; Lexington Catholic High Lexington; St. Xavier High Louisville | Pulaski Academy Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School Springdale; Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School Lexington; Louisville Collegiate School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington | The New School Fayetteville; Subiaco Academy Subiaco; Episcopal Collegiate School Little Rock |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools; Jefferson County Public Schools; Oldham County Schools | Bentonville Public Schools; Fayetteville Public Schools; Little Rock School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 547 miles from Kentucky to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,513 | 300 ft3 | $5.04 |
1 Bedroom | $2,246 | 450 ft3 | $4.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,706 | 750 ft3 | $4.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,381 | 1100 ft3 | $4.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,747 | 1600 ft3 | $4.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,626 | 1800 ft3 | $4.79 |
Top Kentucky to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.