North Carolina to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 845 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricanes vs fewer natural disasters), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern NC Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Sausage
- Arkansas housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Arkansas is 24.02% more affordable than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Arkansas movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Arkansas
- Hurricanes
- High cost of living
- High property taxes
- Summer humidity
- Fewer natural disasters
- More affordable housing
- Lower property taxes
- Milder summers
- Landlocked state
- Limited job opportunities
- Less cultural diversity
- Lack of nightlife
- Coastal access
- Thriving job market
- Diverse culture
- Raleigh nightlife
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to hurricanes and hello to fewer natural disasters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Arkansas with more affordable housing
- Swap the high property taxes of North Carolina for the lower property taxes in Arkansas
- Get ready for milder summers in Arkansas
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal access in North Carolina to live in a landlocked state in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving job market and have to settle for the con of limited job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Arkansas
- Swap Raleigh nightlife for a lack of nightlife
North Carolina vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC Barbecue | Smoked Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Barbecue Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Sweet Potato Bowl | Black Bean Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 North Carolina to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC Barbecue and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Sausage and Barbecue Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Sweet Potato Bowl 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 North Carolina eateries like Stamey's Barbecue, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Chef and the Farmer. 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 Food Company, and Trio's Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Arkansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Granite countertops, hardwood floors | Large backyards, energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference granite countertops and hardwood floors, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large backyards and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Arkansas is less walkable than North Carolina.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Arkansas is less bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Arkansas housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Arkansas is 24.02% more affordable than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Arkansas
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, floods | Tornadoes, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/67 | 92/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 51/32 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Carolina to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 2% more sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be used the same in Arkansas. Arkansas receives inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Arkansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 9.47% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Technology, Retail | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 18% less than in North Carolina
- The COLI in Arkansas is 6% lower than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 5.9% compared to 5.25% in North Carolina
- The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to moderate poverty in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in North Carolina and less noticeable in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Arkansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately balanced with a slight Republican lean in recent elections | Lean more towards the Republican Party, especially in state and local elections |
Local Politics | Blend of urban liberal areas and rural conservative areas | Largely conservative, rural influence is strong |
Religion | Mix of Protestant Christianity, with a significant presence of Evangelical and Mainline denominations | Heavily dominated by Evangelical Protestant Christianity with Baptist and Methodist being particularly prominent |
- North Carolina tends to lean moderately balanced with a slight Republican lean in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as leaning more towards the Republican Party, especially in state and local elections
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as heavily dominated by Evangelical Protestant Christianity, with Baptist and Methodist being particularly prominent
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Protestant Christianity, with a significant presence of Evangelical and Mainline denominations
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Arkansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina Duke University North Carolina State University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) McAlpine Elementary (Charlotte) Elon Park Elementary (Charlotte) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jayne Ellen Middle (Charlotte) Mills Park Middle (Cary) Ligon Middle (Raleigh) | Lisa Academy (Little Rock) Elmwood Middle School (Rogers) Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Providence High (Charlotte) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Central High School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Cary Academy (Cary) Durham Academy (Durham) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) Mount St. Mary Academy (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) | The Anthony School (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | Bentonville Public Schools Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools |
How Much Do North Carolina to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 845 miles from North Carolina to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,682 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,500 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,129 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,001 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,648 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,639 | 1800 ft3 | $5.36 |
Top North Carolina to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Arkansas