Missouri to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 241 mile interstate move from Missouri to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme humidity vs milder climate), food & health (like St. Louis-style BBQ vs Arkansas Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Missouri), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style BBQ and Kansas City-style ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Arkansas Catfish & Fried Chicken
- Arkansas housing costs are 16% less expensive than those in Missouri
- Rent in Arkansas is 1.40% more affordable than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Missouri to Arkansas movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Arkansas
- Extreme humidity
- High state taxes
- Dense traffic in cities
- Milder climate
- Lower taxes
- Less traffic
- Fewer cultural events
- Lower education funding
- Limited restaurant options
- Rich cultural scene
- Great education
- Diverse dining choices
Pros of moving from Missouri to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to extreme humidity and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from high state taxes and moving to Arkansas with lower taxes
- Swap the dense traffic in cities of Missouri for less traffic in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Missouri to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural scene in Missouri to live with fewer cultural events in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of great education and have to settle for the con of lower education funding
- Time to bid farewell to diverse dining choices and get used to limited restaurant options in Arkansas
Missouri vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style BBQ | Arkansas Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City-style ribs | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Possum Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower Wings | Black Bean Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Missouri to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Arkansas catfish. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City-style ribs and sumptuous toasted ravioli, Arkansas residents know they have tasty fried chicken and possum pie to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the cauliflower wings 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 Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Blue Stem, and Side Street Grill. 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, South on Main, and Mike's Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Arkansas
Comparison | Missouri | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Garages | Lakeside views, Outdoor spaces |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside views and outdoor spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Missouri.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Arkansas housing costs are 16% less expensive than those in Missouri with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Arkansas is 1.40% more affordable than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Arkansas
Comparison | Missouri | 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, severe storms | Tornadoes, floods, severe storms |
Air Quality | Good to moderate | Good to moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/67 | 92/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/20 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 6% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes, floods, and severe storms in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes, floods, and severe storms in Arkansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 3 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Arkansas
Comparison | Missouri | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.91% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 9.51% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Below Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 14% less than in Missouri
- The COLI in Arkansas is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in AR is 5.9% compared to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in Arkansas is below average compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Missouri | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural influences | Rural inclinations |
Religion | Christian dominated, Baptists, Methodists | Strong Baptist presence |
- Missouri tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as having a strong Baptist presence
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian dominated, including Baptists and Methodists
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Arkansas
Comparison | Missouri | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri-Columbia Missouri State University-Springfield University of Missouri-Kansas City | University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Arkansas State University-Jonesboro University of Central Arkansas-Conway |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Conway Elementary (St. Louis) Wilson's Creek Intermediate (Springfield) Mason Ridge Elementary (St. Louis) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill Middle (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) LISA Academy North (Sherwood) Thaden School (Bentonville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton High (St. Louis) Ladue Horton Watkins High (St. Louis) Parkway West High (Ballwin) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High (Bentonville) Arkansas School for Mathematics Sciences and the Arts (Hot Springs) |
Top 3 private high schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) The Barstow School (Kansas City) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) The Fulton School at St. Albans (St. Albans) Crossroads College Prep (St. Louis) | Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) The New School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Ladue School District Parkway School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville School District Rogers School District |
How Much Do Missouri to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 241 miles from Missouri to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,339 | 300 ft3 | $4.46 |
1 Bedroom | $1,986 | 450 ft3 | $4.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,273 | 750 ft3 | $4.36 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,745 | 1100 ft3 | $4.31 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,822 | 1600 ft3 | $4.26 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,585 | 1800 ft3 | $4.21 |
Top Missouri to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Arkansas