New York to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,282 mile interstate move from New York to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing prices), food & health (like Bagels vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (brownstone, modern high-rise vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bagels and New York Strip Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in New York
- Rent in Arkansas is 47.33% more affordable than in New York
- Moving from New York to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended New York to Arkansas movers is JP Urban Moving
New York to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Arkansas
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Harsh winters
- Noise pollution
- Limited outdoor space
- Lower housing prices
- Less congestion
- Milder winters
- Peaceful environment
- Ample parks and nature
- Fewer entertainment options
- Less cultural diversity
- Narrow job market
- Limited transport options
- Fewer dining choices
- Vibrant nightlife
- Diverse culture
- Career opportunities
- Public transportation
- Renowned restaurants
Pros of moving from New York to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower housing prices
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Arkansas with less congestion
- Swap the harsh winters of New York for milder winters in Arkansas
- Get ready for a peaceful environment in Arkansas
Cons of moving from New York to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in New York to live with fewer entertainment options in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to career opportunities and get used to a narrow job market in Arkansas
- Swap public transportation for limited transport options
New York vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New York | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagels | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | New York Strip Steak | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Pizza | Fried Pies |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 New York to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Bagels of New York for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful New York Strip Steak and sumptuous Pizza, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Fried Pies to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Per Se, and Dominique Ansel Bakery. 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, Southern Food Company, and Doe's Eat Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Arkansas
Comparison | New York | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Brownstone, Modern High-Rise | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to subway, Hardwood floors | Large lots, Outdoor living space |
- The Brownstone and Modern High-Rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to New York's real estate listings, which commonly reference proximity to the subway and hardwood floors, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and outdoor living space.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Arkansas is less walkable than New York.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Arkansas is less bike-friendly than New York.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than New York.
- Arkansas housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to New Yorkβs $460,812.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
- Rent in Arkansas is 47.33% more affordable than in New York.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Arkansas
Comparison | New York | 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 | Blizzards, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 26Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25" | 5" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 3% fewer sunshine days than New York.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in New York, 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 10 degrees warmer than in New York.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 8 more inches of rain compared to New York.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Arkansas
Comparison | New York | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 4%-8.82% | 2%-5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.52% | 9.47% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Real Estate | Retail, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Significant | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 30% less than in New York
- The COLI in Arkansas is 12% lower than what you are used to living in New York
- The state income tax in AR is 2%-5.9% compared to 4%-8.82% in NY
- The affluence in Arkansas is moderate compared to high in New York
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to moderate in New York
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in New York and low in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Arkansas
Comparison | New York | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally liberal | Predominantly conservative |
Local Politics | Progressive, urban-focused | Traditional, rural-focused |
Religion | Diverse with multiple faiths | Predominantly Christian |
- New York tends to lean generally liberal in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly conservative
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
- New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with multiple faiths
Education Guide When Moving from New York to Arkansas
Comparison | New York | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | New York University Columbia University Cornell University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | PS 77 Lower Lab School (New York City) Success Academy Charter School (Bronx) Anderson School (New York City) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary School (Fayetteville) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jericho Middle School (Jericho) Rye Neck Middle School (Mamaroneck) I.S. 187 The Christa McAuliffe School (Brooklyn) | Thaden School (Bentonville) LISA Academy (Little Rock) Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Stuyvesant High School (New York City) Bronx High School of Science (Bronx) Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Arkansas School for Mathematics Sciences and the Arts (Hot Springs) |
Top 3 private high schools | Horace Mann School (Bronx) Trinity School (New York City) Collegiate School (New York City) | Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Chapin School (New York City) The Brearley School (New York City) Riverdale Country School (Bronx) | The New School (Fayetteville) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scarsdale Union Free School District Jericho Union Free School District Syosset Central School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools |
How Much Do New York to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,282 miles from New York to Arkansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,929 | 300 ft3 | $6.43 |
1 Bedroom | $2,871 | 450 ft3 | $6.38 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,748 | 750 ft3 | $6.33 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,909 | 1100 ft3 | $6.28 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,970 | 1600 ft3 | $6.23 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,126 | 1800 ft3 | $6.18 |
Top New York to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.