Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to ARtoggle

There are many factors that influence Pennsylvania moving costs. The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Arkansas will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Pennsylvania is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from PA to AR

If you’re moving to Arkansas from Pennsylvania, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. Arkansas

Pennsylvania Arkansas
Average rent cost $1,110 $868
Average home cost $268,824 $208,078
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $56,335
Cost of Living Index 99 90
Unemployment rate 3.4% 2.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.34% 9.51%
State Income Tax 3.07% 2.0%
  • Rent is about 22% less expensive in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 23% lower in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 23% lower in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania.
  • Cost of living is 9% lower in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania.
  • Arkansas has a lower unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 32%.
  • Sales taxes are 50% higher in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania.
  • Income taxes are 35% lower in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Arkansas vs. Pennsylvania

Arkansas Pennsylvania
Population 3,067,732 12,961,683
Political leaning Republican 64-36 Republican 51-49
Summer high 91ºF 83ºF
Winter low 28ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 50" 44"
Annual snow 4" 38"
Crime index 30.97 17.62
  • The population of Arkansas is approximately 76% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Arkansas voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Arkansas is 91ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Arkansas reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Arkansas versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Arkansas, it snows about 4 inches annually versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Arkansas has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 30.97 vs. 17.62.

Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Arkansas

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Arkansas compared to Pennsylvania.

Pros of living in Pennsylvania Pros of living in Arkansas
Low cost of living Bountiful recreational opportunities
Abundant fun and recreational activities Low cost of living
Beautiful landscapes Diverse lifestyle opportunities
Ample economic opportunity Fantastic weather
Excellent education options Natural beauty

Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Arkansas

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Arkansas.

Cons of living in Pennsylvania Cons of living in Arkansas
Harsh winter weather High crime rate
Bad driving conditions Dangerous wildlife
Nuclear power plants Poor education
Unpredictable weather Pervasive poverty
High taxes on gasoline Strange laws

Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania to Arkansas movetoggle

  • Weather: Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Before providing in-state household goods relocation services, Arkansas moving companies must be issued an Intrastate Authority Permit from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Arkansas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Arkansas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Arkansas. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Released Value Protection, offered by movers at no extra cost, is the most economical option, albeit with minimal coverage. The mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, the reimbursement would be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure full coverage of your items' value, explore alternative options with your moving company or consider third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Arkansastoggle

While you’re in Arkansas, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
  • Hot Springs National Park
  • Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water and Theme Park
  • Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
  • Little Rock Zoo
  • Clinton Presidential Center
  • Thorncrown Chapel
  • Arkansas Air & Military Museum
  • Crater of Diamonds State Park
  • Garvan Woodland Gardens

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Pennsylvania to Arkansas?toggle

Hiring a full-service Pennsylvania moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Pennsylvania to Arkansas?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Pennsylvania to Arkansas separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania to Arkansas are the amazing upsides of living in Arkansas such as bountiful recreational opportunities and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania or Arkansas?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania. Housing is much more affordable in Arkansas, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 22.6% lower than in Pennsylvania. Taxes are also lower in Arkansas, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Pennsylvania residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Arkansas?toggle

You should make approximately $58,001 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arkansas. The cost of living in Arkansas is approximately $2,371 per month for an individual and $5,191 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Arkansas you live For example, larger cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources