Moving from Tennessee to Arkansas?
Memphis to Little Rock, Nashville to Fayetteville — Tennesseans heading west for Arkansas's Walmart corporate and lower cost.
- 140 mi Distance
- 2 hr 15 min Drive time
- 90 → 86 Cost of living
Memphis and West Memphis AR sit across the Mississippi River as essentially one metropolitan area — despite being in different states. The TN-to-AR move often happens within the same metro (crossing the river) or north to Walmart's Bentonville corporate headquarters. FedEx ties Memphis and NW Arkansas logistics operations.
Why people move from Tennessee to Arkansas.
- AR median home price 34% lower than Tennessee
- Walmart, Tyson, J.B. Hunt HQs in NW Arkansas
- University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- AR income tax top 4.4% vs TN's 0 — but much lower home prices
- Ozark Mountains outdoor recreation
- Cost of living 86 vs TN's 90 — real savings
The money side of TN → AR.
Tennessee
- Median home price$295,000
- Income taxNone
- Sales tax7% + local up to 9.75%
- Cost index90
Arkansas
- Median home price$195,000
- Income tax2%-4.4% progressive
- Sales tax6.5% + local up to 11.5%
- Cost index86
Where Tennessee residents usually land in Arkansas.
Common origin-to-destination city pairs along this route.
-
Memphis Little Rock 140 mi
Primary TN-AR; FedEx and distribution
-
Memphis West Memphis 10 mi
Shortest TN-AR; same metro
-
Nashville Little Rock 345 mi
Nashville to AR capital
-
Nashville Bentonville 575 mi
Nashville to Walmart HQ
-
Memphis Fayetteville 285 mi
Memphis to UA/NW Arkansas
How to drive Tennessee to Arkansas.
Planning your TN → AR move.
- AR has state income tax (TN doesn't) — new burden
- AR sales tax combined up to 11.5%
- Job market concentrated in Little Rock and NW Arkansas
- Tornado risk similar to TN
- Short 2-3 hour drive keeps TN family ties easy
- AR property tax 0.64% — similar to TN
Moving from Tennessee to Arkansas: FAQ.
Why pay AR taxes when TN has no income tax?
For specific jobs. Walmart corporate in Bentonville pays $150-300K for senior roles — no equivalent in TN. UA Fayetteville academic positions. Tyson Foods or J.B. Hunt logistics roles. Career moves can justify AR tax (4.4% on $100K = $4,400). For lateral moves without salary increase, TN's tax structure preserves more income.
Memphis-West Memphis shortest US interstate move?
Among shortest. 10 miles across the I-40 Mississippi River bridge. Full-service 3-bedroom $1,800-3,500 — most efficient interstate pricing possible due to same-day delivery. Many Memphis movers treat this as sub-metro move though legally interstate. USDOT registration still required; any reputable mover handles this corridor.
Walmart HQ worth the TN-AR move?
For Walmart career specifically, yes. Walmart employs 1.6M globally, HQ in Bentonville. Tech roles $120-200K. Retail leadership $150-300K. Strong relocation support. NW Arkansas (Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville) has grown dramatically — Crystal Bridges Museum, craft breweries, developed housing market. Not career-suitable for non-Walmart roles though.
Let's find the right interstate mover for your Tennessee-to-Arkansas move.
Free advice from people who know both markets. No obligation, no spam, no sales pressure.
Replies within 1 hour during business hours, 9am to 5pm ET, Mon-Fri.