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Virginia to Arkansas Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 845 mile interstate move from Virginia to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Ham vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and BBQ Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Ribs
  • Arkansas housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Arkansas is 28.10% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Arkansas movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Arkansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Arkansas

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Busy metropolitan areas
  • High property taxes
ProsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Simpler commutes
  • Quieter, rural lifestyle
  • Lower property taxes

Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Hotter summers
  • Less cultural diversity
  • No coastline
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Diverse culture
  • Proximity to beaches

Pros of moving from Virginia to Arkansas

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Arkansas with simpler commutes
  • Swap the busy metropolitan areas of Virginia for a quieter rural lifestyle in Arkansas
  • Get ready for lower property taxes in Arkansas

Cons of moving from Virginia to Arkansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Arkansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of four distinct seasons and have to settle for the con of hotter summers
  • Time to bid farewell to the diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Arkansas
  • Swap proximity to beaches for no coastline

Virginia vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaArkansas
Most iconic local food itemHamFried Catfish
Most popular meat dishBBQ Pulled PorkSmoked Ribs
Most popular street food itemPeanutsBBQ Nachos
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • L’Auberge Provençale
  • Mama J’s Kitchen
  • McClard’s Bar-B-Q
  • The Root Cafe
  • Doe’s Eat Place
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Virginia to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful BBQ Pulled Pork and sumptuous Peanuts, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and BBQ Nachos 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 Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L’Auberge Provençale, and Mama J’s Kitchen. 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 Root Cafe, and Doe’s Eat Place.

When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a similar selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Arkansas

ComparisonVirginiaArkansas
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanRanch, Craftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to D.C., historical landmarksNatural landscapes, outdoor activities
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to D.C. and historical landmarks, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like natural landscapes and outdoor activities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arkansas is less walkable than Virginia.
  • Arkansas is similarly bike-friendly to Virginia.
  • Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Arkansas housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Arkansas is 28.10% more affordable than in Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Arkansas

ComparisonVirginiaArkansas
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGenerally GoodVariable, urban vs rural areas
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F/65°F92°F/72°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)48°F/29°F51°F/32°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"50"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)14"5"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 6% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, 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 7 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Arkansas

ComparisonVirginiaArkansas
Avg. Household Income$85,873$55,432
Cost of Living Index96.690.5
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%0% - 5.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.8%0.6%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%6.5%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Government, EducationAgriculture, Manufacturing, Retail
AffluenceModerateLow
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 35% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Arkansas is 6% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in AR is 0% - 5.5% compared to 2% - 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Arkansas is low compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to moderate in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and low in Arkansas

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Arkansas

ComparisonVirginiaArkansas
Political Make-upModerately liberal, recent elections lean DemocraticConservative, recent elections lean Republican
Local PoliticsDiverse political landscape with urban areas leaning DemocraticMostly conservative, with a strong Republican presence even in urban areas
ReligionChristianity is predominant, but with a notable presence of other faithsHighly Christian, with Baptists being particularly prominent
  • Virginia tends to lean moderately liberal, as recent elections lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, as recent elections lean Republican
  • Arkansas' religious environment can be described as highly Christian, with Baptists being particularly prominent
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant, but with a notable presence of other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Arkansas

ComparisonVirginiaArkansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School - Arlington
Stenwood Elementary - Vienna
Westbriar Elementary - Vienna
Baker Interdistrict Elementary School - Little Rock
Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock
Vandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School - Falls Church
Frost Middle School - Fairfax
Henley Middle School - Crozet
Lisa Academy North Middle School - Sherwood
LISA Academy West Middle School - Little Rock
Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology - Alexandria
McLean High School - McLean
Langley High School - McLean
Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville
eStem High Public Charter - Little Rock
Bentonville High School - Bentonville
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson School - Alexandria
The Potomac School - McLean
Flint Hill School - Oakton
Pulaski Academy - Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School - Springdale
Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Madeira School - McLean
Norfolk Academy - Norfolk
Collegiate School - Richmond
Lisa Academy - Little Rock
The New School - Fayetteville
Subiaco Academy - Subiaco
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Bentonville School District
Fayetteville Public Schools
Rogers Public Schools

How Much Do Virginia to Arkansas Movers Cost?

Moving 845 miles from Virginia 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,682300 ft3$5.61
1 Bedroom$2,500450 ft3$5.56
2 Bedrooms$4,129750 ft3$5.51
3 Bedrooms$6,0011100 ft3$5.46
4 Bedrooms$8,6481600 ft3$5.41
5+ Bedrooms$9,6391800 ft3$5.36

Top Virginia to Arkansas Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Arkansas

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
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