Texas to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 585 mile interstate move from Texas to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like bustling traffic vs lesser crowded roads), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (ranch, modern farmhouse vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Texas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Texas Chili, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Sausages
- Arkansas housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Arkansas is 22.26% more affordable than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Texas to Arkansas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Arkansas
- Bustling traffic
- Intense summer heat
- High cost of living
- Urban sprawl
- Lesser crowded roads
- Milder summers
- Affordable housing
- Scenic landscapes
- Limited job market
- Fewer entertainment options
- Limited fine dining
- Quieter evenings
- Thriving economy
- Rich cultural scene
- World-class restaurants
- Varied nightlife
Pros of moving from Texas to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to bustling traffic and hello to lesser crowded roads
- Look forward to moving away from intense summer heat and moving to Arkansas with milder summers
- Swap the high cost of living in Texas for affordable housing in Arkansas
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Texas to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a thriving economy in Texas to live with a limited job market in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of fewer entertainment options
- Time to bid farewell to world-class restaurants and get used to limited fine dining in Arkansas
- Swap varied nightlife for quieter evenings
Texas vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Texas Chili | Smoked Sausages |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Cheese Dip |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | 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 Texas to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Texas Chili and sumptuous Tacos, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Sausages and Cheese Dip to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad 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 Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, and Big Texan Steak Ranch. 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, Simmons Barbecue, and The Southern Gourmasian.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Arkansas
Comparison | Texas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Modern Farmhouse | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open floor plans, Smart home features | Large yards, Energy efficiency |
- The Ranch and Modern Farmhouse architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and smart home features, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Texas.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Texas.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Texas.
- Arkansas housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in Arkansas is 22.26% more affordable than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and Arkansas
Comparison | Texas | 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, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 92Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 5" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Texas to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Texas.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, 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 Texas.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 16 more inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Arkansas
Comparison | Texas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2% to 5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.6% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 9.47% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Technology, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Retail |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 23% less than in Texas
- The COLI in Arkansas is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... By moving from Texas to Arkansas, you'll now have a state income tax of 2% to 5.5%
- The affluence in Arkansas is moderate compared to high in Texas
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to moderate in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Texas and lower in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Texas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse, varies by region | More homogeneously Republican, though with some Democratic strongholds |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Protestant, Baptist emphasis |
- Texas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as Protestant with a Baptist emphasis
- Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Arkansas
Comparison | Texas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Canyon Creek Elementary (Richardson) Carver Elementary (Baytown) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William B Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Canyon Ridge Middle School (Austin) Fort Settlement Middle School (Sugar Land) | Lisa Academy North Middle High School (Sherwood) McNair Middle School (Fayetteville) Lingle Middle School (Rogers) |
Top 3 High Schools | School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Westlake High School (Austin) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Central High School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) Greenhill School (Addison) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Trinity Valley School (Fort Worth) The Awty International School (Houston) | The Anthony School (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District (Austin) Carroll Independent School District (Southlake) Coppell Independent School District (Coppell) | Bentonville School District (Bentonville) Fayetteville Public Schools (Fayetteville) Rogers School District (Rogers) |
How Much Do Texas to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 585 miles from Texas to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,534 | 300 ft3 | $5.11 |
1 Bedroom | $2,279 | 450 ft3 | $5.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,760 | 750 ft3 | $5.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,460 | 1100 ft3 | $4.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,862 | 1600 ft3 | $4.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,755 | 1800 ft3 | $4.86 |
Top Texas to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to Arkansas