($1,083) Moving From Illinois to Arkansas

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to Arkansas ranges from $434 to $4,986 and takes one-four days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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 Illinois to Arkansas separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Arkansas to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to Arkansas movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Arkansas is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Illinois to Arkansas:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
STI Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
(847) 675-1223
Alliance Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
(847) 378-4949

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Arkansas?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to Arkansas for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,083 - $3,196 $694 - $1,536 $412 - $715
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,011 - $4,986 $1,254 - $2,366 $434 - $884
4+ bedrooms $3,376 - $7,215 $1,682 - $2,852 $541 - $1,031

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 469 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to AR

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois 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 Illinois 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.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to Arkansas?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Arkansas will cost between $1,083 and $3,196. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to AR will range from $2,011 to $4,986, and a large move from Illinois to Arkansas will cost from $3,376 to $7,215.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Arkansas?

Moving containers from Illinois to Arkansas will cost you $694 to $1,536 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,254 to $2,366. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,682 to $2,852. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to Arkansas?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $412 to $715. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $434 to $884, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Arkansas costs from $541 to $1,031.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to Arkansas a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Arkansas

Illinois Arkansas
Average rent cost $1,038 $760
Average home cost $249,224 $197,411
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $56,335
Cost of Living Index 90 90
Unemployment rate 4.6% 3.1%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 9.51%
State Income Tax 4.95% 2.0%
  • Rent is about 27% less expensive in Arkansas than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 21% lower in Arkansas than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 28% lower in Arkansas than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is about the same in Arkansas and Illinois.
  • Arkansas has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 33%.
  • Sales taxes are 8% higher in Arkansas than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 60% lower in Arkansas than in Illinois.

How does life in Arkansas differ from Illinois?

Arkansas Illinois
Population 3,045,637 12,582,032
Political leaning Republican 62-35 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 91ºF 86ºF
Winter low 28ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 50" 40"
Annual snow 4" 22"
Crime index 33.55 18.79
  • The population of Arkansas is approximately 76% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Arkansas voted Republican and Illinois voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Arkansas is 91ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Arkansas reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about fifty inches of annual rainfall in Arkansas versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Arkansas, it snows about four inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Arkansas has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 33.55 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Arkansas

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus Arkansas side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Arkansas
Home of Chicago Bountiful recreational opportunities
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
Bountiful recreational opportunities Diverse lifestyle opportunities
Delicious food Fantastic weather
World-class sports culture Natural beauty

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Arkansas

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Arkansas.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Arkansas
Harsh winter weather High crime rate
Bad traffic Dangerous wildlife
High crime rate Poor education
Dull landscape Pervasive poverty
Strict laws Strange laws

What to know before your move to Arkansas

  • 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 Arkansas

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 Illinois to Arkansas?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to Arkansas is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Arkansas?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois 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 Illinois or Arkansas?

It is generally cheaper to live in Arkansas than in Illinois. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in Arkansas, with average rent about 27% less and home prices 20.8% lower than in Illinois. Taxes are also lower in Arkansas, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by Illinois residents.

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

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 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 Arkadelphia and Batesville will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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