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Arkansas
Your Arkansas Moving Company Since 2016
Few states stretch a relocation budget like Arkansas. U.S. News ranked it the most affordable state in the country in 2025, its cost-of-living index sits at 86.9 (US average = 100, BEA RPP 2024), about 13 percent below the national figure, and the median home value is just $188,000. That affordability is pulling people in. The engine is the Northwest Arkansas corridor around Bentonville, where the Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt headquarters add roughly 40 new residents a day, and the state booked a net domestic in-migration gain of about 6,100 in 2024 (2024 ACS). Star Van Lines is a licensed interstate carrier, USDOT #4176875 and MC #1607491, and we've moved households into and out of the Natural State since 2016, from the I-40 spine through Little Rock to the I-49 corridor climbing toward the Missouri line.
Our Arkansas moving services cover packing, loading, transport, delivery, and short-term storage at warehouse locations around the country. In-state work clusters around two metros, the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway area in the center and the fast-growing Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers-Bentonville corridor in the northwest, so a "local" move can be a cross-town hop in Little Rock or a 213-mile run up to Bentonville as a worker transfers toward the NWA cluster. But the terrain adds its own wrinkles. Ozark addresses in the north bring narrow, winding county roads that limit large-van clearance, and the I-49 widening keeps construction bottlenecks live around the Bentonville and Fayetteville interchanges. One coordinator and one written estimate cover the whole job, from your first call through final delivery.
Want a price before you pack the first box? Call (855) 822-2722 or use our online quote calculator. You'll get a line-by-line breakdown up front, so nothing on the bill catches you off guard on move day. We're rated 4.0 on Trustpilot, 4.5 on Google, and 4.75 on Facebook across 240+ reviews.
Moving services in Arkansas
Moving services in Arkansas
Star Van Lines provides local, long-distance, and interstate moving services across Arkansas. We handle packing, loading, transport, and delivery for residential and commercial moves. Because the state pairs a dense Northwest Arkansas growth corridor with Ozark and Ouachita highlands and a spring severe-weather window, every move here needs route-specific and weather-aware planning. Every move includes a single coordinator, trained crew, and written estimate.
Local moving in Arkansas
Local moves split between two metros: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway in central Arkansas, and the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers-Bentonville corridor in the northwest. A two-person crew costs $94-$150 per hour; three movers run $145-$225. The Little Rock to Bentonville lane runs about 213 driving miles, a common intrastate corporate-relocation route as workers transfer toward the NWA headquarters cluster, and these in-state moves stay below the long-distance bands. Because the I-49 corridor is still being widened to six lanes, crews build extra time into load-in windows around the Bentonville and Fayetteville interchanges.
Long-distance moving from Arkansas
Most long-distance moves from Arkansas head toward Texas, the dominant out-of-state lane. Little Rock to Dallas-Fort Worth runs about 319 driving miles down I-30, and Bentonville to Dallas is about 357 miles. Little Rock to Memphis is a short 137-mile hop across the Delta, while the West Coast long-haul to the Los Angeles area stretches roughly 1,668 miles. Because the spring storm season peaks across the I-40 belt from March into early June, your coordinator tracks severe-weather watches and adjusts load-out windows when a system is developing.
Packing and storage
We offer full-service packing, partial packing, and self-pack options. Full-service means our crew brings all materials and packs every room. Partial lets you choose which rooms we handle. Self-pack keeps the price lowest. We have 43 warehouse locations nationwide for short-term and long-term storage. Arkansas's humid subtropical climate means warm-season humidity runs high, raising the risk of mildew, warping, and condensation damage to wood furniture, electronics, and documents in non-conditioned storage. Because that humidity is hardest on belongings held between move dates, climate-controlled units are the safer choice for any gap between move-out and move-in.
Auto transport and specialty items
We ship vehicles via open or enclosed carrier, and many Arkansas moves pair the household van with auto transport. New residents must get an Arkansas driver license within 30 days and register a vehicle within 60 days, and no driving exam is required if you surrender a valid out-of-state license. For West Coast moves, enclosed auto transport pairs naturally with the long Little Rock to Los Angeles lane at about 1,668 miles, where open-air exposure over winter routes is a worry. And because Arkansas requires no statewide safety inspection and no emissions test, the only check that may apply is a one-time VIN verification for out-of-state or salvage titles.
How much does moving in Arkansas cost?
Moving costs in Arkansas depend on whether you're relocating locally or across state lines. Local moves within Arkansas typically run $94-$150 per hour for a two-person crew with truck. Long-distance moves start at $800 for studio apartments and go up to $6,650 for large homes, depending on distance, weight, and access. The five corridors below, from a 319-mile run to Dallas to a 1,665-mile haul to Los Angeles, show how much distance moves the price.
Local moving rates
| Crew size | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $94-$150 / hour |
| 3 movers + truck | $145-$225 / hour |
| 4 movers + truck | $195-$376 / hour |
Long-distance rates from Arkansas
| Move size | Estimated price range |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $800 - $1,650 |
| 2-3 Bedrooms | $1,450 - $3,650 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $2,450 - $6,650 |
Popular routes and pricing from Arkansas
| Route | Distance | Avg cost (2-3 BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock to Los Angeles | 1,665 mi | $3,000 - $3,650 |
| Little Rock to Oklahoma City | 340 mi | $1,500 - $1,850 |
| Little Rock to St. Louis | 349 mi | $1,550 - $1,850 |
| Little Rock to Dallas | 319 mi | $1,450 - $1,800 |
| Little Rock to Denver | 967 mi | $2,450 - $3,000 |
Pricing reflects market averages for moves in and from Arkansas as of June 2026. Your final price depends on inventory weight, packing level, access at both ends, and scheduling flexibility. Call (855) 822-2722 or use our free quote calculator for an exact estimate.
What affects your moving price
- Shipment weight and volume are the biggest factors for any long-distance move from Arkansas.
- Distance drives the base price. Little Rock to Dallas is 319 miles; Los Angeles is roughly 1,665.
- Access at both ends matters. Narrow Ozark roads, last-mile drives to lake-country addresses, and bottlenecks along the widening I-49 corridor all add time.
- How much packing you want us to do. Full-service runs more than partial, and self-pack is the lowest option.
- When you move. Spring brings the highest tornado and flood risk, and summer humidity strains crews, so the mild April-May and September-October windows are calmer.
- Add-on services like auto transport, climate-controlled storage, and specialty handling carry their own pricing.
Moving routes from Arkansas
Moving to Arkansas: what you should know
A move to Arkansas trades a high cost of living for one of the lowest in the country, with a few logistics wrinkles that come with mountains and storm season. Below is a quick guide to cost of living, access and logistics, climate and timing, and the residency rules that affect your move.
What it costs to live in Arkansas
Arkansas's cost-of-living index is 86.9 (US average = 100, BEA RPP 2024), about 13 percent below the national figure and among the lowest in the nation. That number shows up in real housing costs. Median home value is $188,000 (Census ACS 2020-2024), and median gross rent is $947. Because the cost base is low, local moving labor runs $94-$150 per hour for a two-person crew in the Little Rock or Northwest Arkansas metros. Median household income is $60,773, and 66.4 percent of households own their homes. Although the income and property taxes both run low, the average combined sales tax of 9.48 percent is among the highest in the country, which nudges up the cost of packing supplies and furnishings once you arrive.
Access and logistics
Arkansas's interstate network funnels long-distance traffic onto four arteries. I-40 is the east-west spine through Little Rock, linking Memphis to Oklahoma. I-49 runs north-south through the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers-Bentonville corridor, roughly an 85-mile segment from I-40 to the Missouri line. I-30 heads southwest toward Texarkana and Dallas, while I-55 crosses the northeast Delta toward Memphis and St. Louis. Three challenges define local moves here. Because the Northwest Arkansas corridor is densifying fast, I-49 is still being widened to six lanes, which creates construction bottlenecks around the Bentonville and Fayetteville interchanges. Ozark access in the north brings narrow, winding county roads that limit large-van clearance. And the spring severe-weather window can force route-timing changes when watches light up the I-40 belt.
Climate and timing
Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate, and Little Rock sees about 219 days with some sun a year, July and August highs near 92 degrees, and a January average low around 31 (NOAA 1991-2020 normals). The state averages 50.4 inches of rain and only 3.8 inches of snow a year. The calendar that matters most for movers is the spring storm season. Arkansas sits in Dixie Alley, and March through early June is peak tornado and flash-flood season across the I-40 belt. Summer brings its own strain, with roughly 76 days a year above 90 degrees and high humidity, so summer loads get scheduled for early morning. Winter is milder. But Dec-Mar ice storms can briefly close I-40 and I-30 and slow loading in the central and northern counties, where the Ozark and Ouachita highlands see heavier accumulation than the southeast. The best windows to move are April-May and September-October.
Residency and regulations
Arkansas gives new residents 30 days to get a driver license (Ark. Code 27-16-606) and 60 days to register a vehicle (Ark. Code 27-14-723, raised from 30 to 60 by Act 41 of 2023), so the two deadlines are mismatched and worth planning around. The state requires no statewide safety inspection and no emissions or smog test, which keeps registration simple. Before registering, you assess the vehicle with your county assessor, pay personal-property tax, and show proof of liability insurance; an out-of-state or salvage title also needs a VIN verification. Because late registration carries a 10 percent sales-tax penalty plus $3.00 for every 10 days unregistered, handle the paperwork early.
What to know before moving to Arkansas
Benefits of moving to Arkansas
0,114,791 (Census V2025)
Population
$0,773
Median household income
0.9 (US = 100, BEA RPP 2024)
Cost of living index
$0,000
Median home value
0.0%-3.7% (top rate cut for TY2026)
State income tax
0/year (Little Rock)
Days of sunshine
Arkansas is home to about 3.11 million people and grew 3.4 percent between 2020 and 2025 (Census V2025). The financial draw is easy to read: U.S. News ranked Arkansas the most affordable state in 2025, the cost-of-living index sits at 86.9 (BEA RPP 2024), and the median home value is $188,000. The tax picture sharpens the pull, because the top income-tax rate was cut to 3.7 percent for tax year 2026 and the state grocery sales tax is eliminated from 2026, with no estate or inheritance tax. And the migration math runs inbound. Texas sent the most new arrivals (+10,800 in 2024), with Florida and Missouri next at about +4,400 each, and Arkansas booked a net domestic in-migration gain of about 6,100 in 2024 (2024 ACS), ranking 25th.
Is Arkansas a good place to live?
Arkansas offers among the lowest overall cost of living in the country, a low top income-tax rate, and outdoor country in the Ozarks and Ouachitas that draws people from far more expensive states. The trade-offs are real: the combined sales tax is among the highest in the nation, spring brings serious tornado and flood risk, and northeastern counties sit over an active seismic zone. Whether it's a good fit depends on your budget, your tolerance for storm season, and how much you value more house for the money.
Tax environment
Arkansas runs a progressive two-rate income tax from 2.0 percent up to a 3.7 percent top rate, cut from 3.9 percent for tax year 2026 and retroactive to January 1, 2026 (Tax Foundation 2026; Arkansas SB1). There's no estate tax and no inheritance tax, and the state grocery sales tax is eliminated from 2026. The effective property tax rate is just 0.56 percent of owner-occupied value, and Amendment 79 caps the annual increase in a homestead's taxable assessed value at 5 percent. But the catch sits on the sales side. The average combined state and local sales tax is 9.48 percent, a 6.50 percent state rate plus local add-ons, the third-highest combined rate in the country. For a household trading down from a high-price metro, the income, property, and home-price savings usually outweigh that.
Housing market
Median home value in Arkansas is $188,000 (Census ACS 2020-2024), and median gross rent is $947. About 66.4 percent of households own their homes. Prices vary by market: the Northwest Arkansas corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville runs hotter than the statewide median because of the headquarters cluster and rapid in-migration, while central Arkansas and the Delta sit closer to or below it. For many new owners, the real budget jolt isn't the mortgage at all. It's the 9.48 percent combined sales tax on everything you buy to furnish the new place.
Job market and economy
Retail and consumer-packaged goods, food processing, and logistics anchor Arkansas's economy, concentrated in the Northwest Arkansas corridor. Walmart is the largest employer in the state at about 54,712 Arkansas residents, with Tyson Foods (over 25,000 in-state) and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (over 16,000) close behind, all headquartered in the northwest. Murphy USA in El Dorado is one of the state's four homegrown Fortune 500 firms, and the University of Arkansas System is a major statewide public-sector employer. Transportation and logistics lead the secondary sectors, with health care and information technology growing. And because so much hiring sits in the NWA headquarters cluster, job seekers concentrate around Benton and Washington counties, where the corridor adds roughly 40 new residents a day.
Safety and natural risks
Arkansas's dominant natural risks come from spring storms and water. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms top the list, since the state lies in the secondary tornado corridor known as Dixie Alley, followed by riverine and flash flooding tracked by FEMA. Northeastern Arkansas adds a hazard the rest of the South mostly lacks: the New Madrid Seismic Zone, an active fault near Marked Tree in Poinsett County that averages more than 200 small quakes a year and produced some of the largest US earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. Wildfire and winter ice storms are secondary hazards. The practical takeaways are simple. Although the seismic risk rarely touches a move directly, time a relocation outside the March-to-early-June severe-weather peak when you can, and ask about flood zones along the rivers.
Who thrives in Arkansas?
Cost-of-living refugees from high-price states
With among the nation's lowest overall cost of living and a median home value of $188,000, Arkansas draws households trading down from expensive metros to stretch retirement savings or a fixed income. The 2026 income-tax cut to a 3.7 percent top rate and the end of the state grocery sales tax sharpen the affordability pull. Most arrive from out of state and prize a clean, predictable price breakdown.
Northwest Arkansas corporate transferees
The Bentonville-Rogers area concentrates the Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt headquarters, plus offices for nearly every major Walmart vendor. Professionals and supplier-team employees relocate into Benton and Washington counties for these roles, often on tight corporate timelines and frequently moving in from Texas, the Midwest, or the coasts. Their moves need scheduling that fits a fixed start date, plus access planning around the I-49 construction corridor.
Outdoor-recreation and lake-country retirees
The Ozark Mountains, Hot Springs, and the state's lakes and rivers attract retirees and remote workers chasing low-cost outdoor living. These moves often target the northern and western counties, where narrow mountain roads and lake-community addresses call for crews used to tight clearances and longer last-mile drives.
Central Arkansas government and healthcare professionals
Little Rock, the state capital and central Arkansas hub on I-40, concentrates state-government agencies and a large medical sector, including a major academic medical center. Public-sector staff, medical residents, and healthcare workers relocate into the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metro, often transferring in from neighboring states along I-40 and I-30.
University of Arkansas students and academic staff
Fayetteville anchors the flagship University of Arkansas, which set a record enrollment of 34,161 in Fall 2025, feeding a steady stream of student, faculty, and research-staff moves into the same NWA corridor. These relocations cluster around the academic calendar, with summer and late-August peaks and frequent out-of-state origins.
First week after moving to Arkansas: what to do
After your move to Arkansas, several tasks carry state-specific deadlines, and the driver-license and vehicle-registration windows don't line up. New residents have 30 days to get an Arkansas driver license but 60 days to register a vehicle. Here is a prioritized checklist.
- Get your Arkansas driver license.
New residents have 30 days to obtain an Arkansas driver license after becoming a resident (Ark. Code 27-16-606). No driving exam is required if you surrender a valid out-of-state license. Bring proof of residency and your current license to an Office of Driver Services location. (mydmv.arkansas.gov)
- Register your vehicle.
You have 60 days to register a vehicle in Arkansas (Ark. Code 27-14-723, raised from 30 by Act 41 of 2023). Before registering, assess the vehicle with your county assessor and pay personal-property tax. An out-of-state or salvage title needs a one-time VIN verification, and late registration carries a 10 percent sales-tax penalty plus $3.00 for every 10 days unregistered.
- Line up Arkansas auto insurance.
Arkansas requires proof of liability insurance before you register. Contact your insurer to re-rate your policy for Arkansas, since premiums can shift with the move and the state sets its own minimum coverage rules.
- Register to vote.
Arkansas offers online registration through the Secretary of State at sos.arkansas.gov, plus mail to the county clerk, in-person filing at the county clerk's office, and the DFA Office of Driver Services. Your registration must be received at least 30 days before an election.
- Confirm REAL ID timing.
Federal REAL ID enforcement is in effect, so if you want a REAL ID-compliant Arkansas license for boarding domestic flights, bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two proofs of Arkansas residency to the Office of Driver Services.
- Forward your mail.
USPS Change of Address is free online at usps.com. Mail forwarding starts within 7-10 business days.
- Transfer medical records.
Contact your current providers before the move and find a new primary care physician in Arkansas. If you're on employer insurance, confirm your plan's Arkansas network before booking appointments.
- Update school records.
If you have children, request transcripts from the previous district and contact your new Arkansas district for enrollment requirements, registration deadlines, and the local school calendar.
Arkansas at a glance: schools, jobs, and things to do
Schools and universities
For families weighing districts, Bentonville Public Schools ranks #1 of 244 districts in Arkansas on Niche's 2026 list, serving about 19,575 students in the heart of the growth corridor. Haas Hall Academy, a public charter in Fayetteville, ranks #2, and the Greenwood School District ranks #3 of 244 with about 3,930 students. Higher education clusters in the northwest too. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is the public flagship and the largest in the state, with a record enrollment of 34,161 in Fall 2025. Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is the second-largest four-year university at roughly 17,926 students, and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway rounds out the major public options, with John Brown University in Siloam Springs as a notable private choice. Since school quality swings sharply by district, families relocating with children should pin down enrollment zones before they sign a lease.
Major employers
Walmart is Arkansas's largest employer at about 54,712 state residents, headquartered in Bentonville. Tyson Foods in Springdale employs over 25,000 people in Arkansas, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services in Lowell employs over 16,000. Murphy USA in El Dorado is one of the state's four homegrown Fortune 500 firms, and the University of Arkansas System is a major statewide public-sector employer. Retail and consumer-packaged goods, food processing, and logistics dominate the economy, anchored in the Northwest Arkansas cluster, with transportation, health care, and IT as the growing runners-up. Because so many headquarters sit in Benton and Washington counties, the NWA corridor keeps drawing residents faster than anywhere else in the state.
Attractions and recreation
Arkansas earned its nickname, the Natural State, the honest way. Hot Springs National Park protects thermal springs and historic Bathhouse Row, and the Buffalo National River runs 135 free-flowing miles through the Ozark Mountains as America's first national river, designated in 1972. In Bentonville, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a world-class American art museum with free admission. Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro is the only place in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source and keep what they find. An Arkansas state park since 1972, its 37.5-acre search field is home to the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever unearthed in the United States. The broader Ozark Mountains and Northwest Arkansas region add hiking, scenic drives, and lake country, and that outdoor access is a major reason people relocate to the fast-growing metro.
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(855) 822-2722 or email
Local moving in Arkansas typically costs $94-$150 per hour for a two-person crew with truck. A standard three-bedroom home usually needs a larger crew and four to six hours, so most local moves land between $423 and $3,760 depending on home size and access. Add-ons like packing, disassembly, and long carries increase the total. Call (855) 822-2722 for an itemized estimate.
Long-distance moves from Arkansas start at $800 for studio apartments and go up to $6,650 for four-plus-bedroom homes. The final price depends on shipment weight, distance, and access at both ends. A two-bedroom run to Dallas lands around $1,450 to $1,800, while a long-haul to Los Angeles can reach $3,000 to $3,650. Star Van Lines puts the full number in writing before you book, so the quote you approve is the quote you pay.
Search our USDOT number 4176875 on the FMCSA SAFER website (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov). This federal database confirms our operating authority, MC number 1607491, insurance status, and safety record. Any legitimate interstate mover should be able to provide a verifiable USDOT number.
Common surcharges include long-carry charges when the truck can't park close to the door, stair fees, shuttle fees for narrow Ozark roads or lake-community addresses a full-size van can't reach, and added time around the I-49 construction corridor. Every charge that could apply is spelled out in your written estimate before you book.
Federal law requires interstate movers to offer two levels: Released Value Protection (free, covers $0.60 per pound per item) and Full Value Protection (paid, covers repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current value). Star Van Lines is fully insured under USDOT #4176875 and can explain both options when you request a quote.
Arkansas gives new residents 30 days to get a driver license (Ark. Code 27-16-606) and 60 days to register a vehicle (raised from 30 to 60 by Act 41 of 2023). No driving exam is required if you surrender a valid out-of-state license. Before registering, you assess the vehicle with your county assessor and pay personal-property tax, and an out-of-state or salvage title needs a one-time VIN verification. There's no statewide safety inspection or emissions test here.
A REAL ID is the optional star-marked license you need to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities, now that federal enforcement is in effect. A standard Arkansas license still works for driving and registering your vehicle. If you want the REAL ID version, the Office of Driver Services asks for proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two documents proving Arkansas residency.
Arkansas's cost-of-living index is 86.9 (US average = 100, BEA RPP 2024), about 13 percent below the national figure, and U.S. News ranked it the most affordable state in 2025. Median home value is $188,000, and median gross rent is $947 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The main offset is the 9.48 percent average combined sales tax, among the highest nationally, which raises what you pay to furnish a new place.
April-May and September-October are the best windows, with milder temperatures, lower humidity, and lower moving demand. The worst stretch is March through early June, Arkansas's peak tornado and flash-flood season in Dixie Alley, followed by the June-to-August heat that runs highs near 92 degrees and strains crews and shrink-wrapped contents. Winter is milder, though Dec-Mar ice storms can briefly close I-40 and I-30 and slow loading in central and northern Arkansas.
Bentonville to Dallas runs about 357 driving miles, a Texas-bound lane that's part of the dominant out-of-state corridor from Northwest Arkansas. From Little Rock, the Dallas-Fort Worth run is about 319 miles down I-30. Pricing follows distance and home size, so a two-bedroom Little Rock-to-Dallas move lands around $1,450 to $1,800. Your coordinator confirms access at both ends, including any I-49 construction timing near Bentonville.
Arkansas runs a progressive income tax with a top rate cut to 3.7 percent for tax year 2026, no estate tax, and no inheritance tax, and the state grocery sales tax is eliminated from 2026. The effective property tax rate is a low 0.56 percent of value, with Amendment 79 capping homestead assessment increases at 5 percent a year. The trade-off is the 9.48 percent average combined sales tax, among the highest in the country, worth budgeting for on furniture and supplies.
Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate, so warm-season humidity routinely runs high and can warp wood, mildew upholstery, and damage electronics in a non-conditioned unit. If your delivery date isn't locked in, or you're storing between move-out and move-in, climate-controlled space is the safer choice. Spring also brings the heaviest severe-weather risk in Dixie Alley, so a facility set back from flood-prone river valleys lowers your exposure.
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USDOT #4176875 | MC #1607491 | Licensed & Insured