Oklahoma to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 356 mile interstate move from Oklahoma to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oklahoma vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like tornado frequency vs milder weather patterns), food & health (like Chicken Fried Steak vs Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits), real estate & housing (ranch vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oklahoma), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicken Fried Steak and Barbecue Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits & Fried Catfish
- Arkansas housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Oklahoma
- Rent in Arkansas is 3.63% more expensive than in Oklahoma
- Moving from Oklahoma to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Oklahoma to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Oklahoma to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oklahoma to Arkansas
- Tornado frequency
- Limited outdoor activities
- Fewer lakes
- Flat landscapes
- Milder weather patterns
- Abundant state parks
- Numerous lakes and rivers
- Scenic Ozark Mountains
- Slightly higher taxes
- Fewer urban hubs
- More rural employment
- Quieter cities
- Lower cost of living
- Major city amenities
- Stable job market
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from Oklahoma to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to tornado frequency and hello to milder weather patterns
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Arkansas with abundant state parks
- Swap the fewer lakes of Oklahoma for numerous lakes and rivers in Arkansas
- Get ready for the scenic Ozark Mountains in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Oklahoma to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Oklahoma to live with slightly higher taxes in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of major city amenities and have to settle for the con of fewer urban hubs
- Time to bid farewell to a stable job market and get used to more rural employment in Arkansas
- Swap vibrant nightlife for quieter cities
Oklahoma vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicken Fried Steak | Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Brisket | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Smoked Sausages |
Most popular vegan food | Fried Okra | 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 Oklahoma to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma for the equally delicious Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits of Arkansas. And while the locals in Oklahoma rave about their flavorful Barbecue Brisket and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Smoked Sausages to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Fried Okra 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 Oklahoma eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Hideaway Pizza. 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, Sims Bar-B-Que, and The Southern Food Company.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oklahoma. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Oklahoma. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oklahoma and Arkansas
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Garages | Natural landscapes, Energy efficiency |
- The Ranch architecture that Oklahoma is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Oklahoma's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like natural landscapes and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Arkansas is more walkable than Oklahoma.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Arkansas is more bike-friendly than Oklahoma.
- Arkansas has more of an urban feel than Oklahoma.
- Arkansas housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Oklahoma, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Oklahomaβs $203,455.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 50% increase in Oklahoma.
- Rent in Arkansas is 3.63% more expensive than in Oklahoma.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oklahoma and Arkansas
Comparison | Oklahoma | 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, Hail | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 92Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 10" | 5" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oklahoma to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Oklahoma.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oklahoma.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 2 degrees colder than in Oklahoma.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than in Oklahoma.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Oklahoma.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oklahoma and Arkansas
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,673 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.1 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.9% | 0.6% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.75% | 9.47% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Aviation | Agriculture, Healthcare, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Notable | Significant |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 7% less than in Oklahoma
- The COLI in Arkansas is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Oklahoma
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 5.5% compared to 5% in Oklahoma
- The affluence in Arkansas is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Oklahoma
- The poverty level is significant in Arkansas compared to notable poverty in Oklahoma
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Oklahoma and visible in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Oklahoma vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative, with emphasis on economic development | Conservative, but with a focus on agricultural policies |
Religion | Protestant majority, with a significant Baptist presence | Protestant majority, strong Baptist and Methodist communities |
- Oklahoma tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as a protestant majority with strong Baptist and Methodist communities
- Oklahoma's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a protestant majority, with a significant Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Oklahoma to Arkansas
Comparison | Oklahoma | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chisholm Elementary School - Edmond Oakdale Public School - Edmond Russell Dougherty Elementary School - Edmond | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School - Little Rock Forest Park Elementary School - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary School - Fayetteville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whittier Middle School - Norman Central Middle School - Edmond Sequoyah Middle School - Edmond | LISA Academy North Middle School - Sherwood McNair Middle School - Fayetteville Bentonville Middle School - Bentonville |
Top 3 High Schools | Edmond North High School - Edmond Norman North High School - Norman Jenks High School - Jenks | Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville Bentonville High School - Bentonville Fayetteville High School - Fayetteville |
Top 3 private high schools | Cascia Hall Preparatory School - Tulsa Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City Bishop Kelley High School - Tulsa | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Shiloh Christian School - Springdale Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Heritage Hall - Oklahoma City Holland Hall - Tulsa Crossings Christian School - Oklahoma City | The Anthony School - Little Rock Fayetteville Christian School - Fayetteville Shiloh Christian School - Springdale |
Top 3 School Districts | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools | Bentonville Public Schools Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools |
How Much Do Oklahoma to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 356 miles from Oklahoma to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,404 | 300 ft3 | $4.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,084 | 450 ft3 | $4.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,436 | 750 ft3 | $4.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,984 | 1100 ft3 | $4.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,170 | 1600 ft3 | $4.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,976 | 1800 ft3 | $4.43 |
Top Oklahoma to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oklahoma to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.