Pennsylvania to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,061 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, farmhouse vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Brisket
- Arkansas housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Arkansas is 11.31% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Arkansas movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Top Pennsylvania to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Arkansas

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

EverSafe Moving Co.
Pennsylvania to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas
- High taxes
- Cold winters
- Heavy traffic
- High cost of living
- Densely populated
- Lower taxes
- Warmer climate
- Less congestion
- Affordability
- More open space
- Less historic sites
- Cultural shift
- Fewer dining options
- Less public transit
- Limited sports teams
- Rich history
- Diverse culture
- Variety of restaurants
- Public transit options
- Professional sports
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Arkansas with a warmer climate
- Swap the heavy traffic of Pennsylvania for less congestion in Arkansas
- Get ready for affordability in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historic sites in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of a cultural shift
- Time to bid farewell to the variety of restaurants and get used to fewer dining options in Arkansas
- Swap public transit options for less public transit
Pennsylvania vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | Avocado Toast |
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 Pennsylvania to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Barbecue Ribs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Geno's Steaks, Zahav, and Reading Terminal Market. 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 Lost Forty Brewing.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Arkansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Farmhouse | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, updated kitchens | Large yards, proximity to nature |
- The Colonial and Farmhouse architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and updated kitchens, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Arkansas housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Arkansas is 11.31% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Arkansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, Flooding | Tornadoes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/62 | 92/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37/21 | 51/32 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 21% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 9 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Arkansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 9.47% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Real Estate | Retail, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 23% less than those in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Arkansas is 9% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 5.9% compared to 3.07% in Pennsylvania
- The affluence in Arkansas is low compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is high in Arkansas compared to moderate poverty in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Liberal | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed with leans toward Democratic in urban areas | Strongly Republican, especially in rural areas |
Religion | Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim | Primarily Christian (Protestant), with smaller religious communities |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean moderately Liberal in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian (Protestant) with smaller religious communities
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, and Muslim
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Martha Brown Middle School (Fairport) Minadeo Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Bradford Woods Elementary School (Bradfordwoods) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary School (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square) | Lisa Academy North Middle School (Sherwood) Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Fulbright Junior High School (Bentonville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Fayetteville High School East (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Mercersburg Academy (Mercersburg) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) The New School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville School District Rogers School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,061 miles from Pennsylvania to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,804 | 300 ft3 | $6.01 |
1 Bedroom | $2,683 | 450 ft3 | $5.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,435 | 750 ft3 | $5.91 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,450 | 1100 ft3 | $5.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,301 | 1600 ft3 | $5.81 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,374 | 1800 ft3 | $5.76 |