There’s a lot to think about when moving to Arkansas from Washington DC. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Arkansas DMV to transfer your Washington DC driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Arkansas from Washington DC. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Arkansas state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Washington DC driver’s license to Arkansas within 30 days.
Transfer your vehicles & get Arkansas license plates upon establishing residency.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Arkansas and Washington DC.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Arkansas.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Arkansas property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Arkansas DMV to transfer your Washington DC driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Washington DC to Arkansas.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Arkansas.
Moving to Arkansas from Washington DC Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Washington DC license & registration to Arkansas.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Arkansas here.
Cost of Moving from Washington DC to Arkansas
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Washington DC to Arkansas will cost.
The rough distance between Arkansas and Washington DC is 895 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Washington DC to Arkansas
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Arkansas
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Arkansas
When you move to Arkansas, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Arkansas.
Arkansas Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Arkansas, the minimum liability coverage is $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$443
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$1,907
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for full coverage in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Arkansas Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$2,123
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for your home insurance policy in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Will you own or rent your home?
Arkansas Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Arkansas.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Arkansas
Lower
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Arkansas from Washington DC
Transfer your Washington DC Driver’s License
within 30 days.
After you’ve moved to Arkansas, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Washington DC Car Registration
upon establishing residency.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Arkansas license plates.
When you become a resident of Arkansas, you’ll need to transfer your Washington DC driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Arkansas. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Arkansas is $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Arkansas for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Washington DC Driver’s License to Arkansas
Minimum Age for a Arkansas Driver’s License
18 years old
A standard Arkansas driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 18 years old.
Arkansas Driver’s License Expires
every 8 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 8 years.
Arkansas Driver’s License Cost
$40.00
A driver’s license will cost around $40.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Arkansas is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Arkansas driver’s license within 30 days.
In Arkansas, driver’s licenses are issued by the OMV.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Arkansas Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Washington DC driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Arkansas address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Arkansas OMV will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/.
Arkansas Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Arkansas Driver’s License Test
25 total questions
The Arkansas knowledge exam will typically consist of 25 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Washington DC license to Arkansas, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Arkansas.
Before you visit the OMV, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Arkansas. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Washington DC driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Arkansas driving test.
Is your Washington DC driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Washington DC driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Washington DC license should be valid when you apply for a license in Arkansas.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Washington DC DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Washington DC driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Washington DC driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Washington DC driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Arkansas license, it’s possible that the OMV will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Washington DC driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Arkansas DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Washington DC to Arkansas
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Washington DC registration to Arkansas.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Arkansas OMV.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/services/category/vehicles/
Arkansas Registration Fee Basis
weight-base
Arkansas vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by weight-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$17+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Arkansas Registration Expiration
every year
In Arkansas, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
A front license plate is not required in Arkansas.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
There is typically no vehicle safety inspection required in Arkansas.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is not required for vehicles registered in Arkansas.
New residents in Arkansas are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration upon establishing residency.
When moving to Arkansas with vehicles from Washington DC, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Arkansas registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Washington DC.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Arkansas registration.
- Have a valid Arkansas insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Washington DC DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Washington DC DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Arkansas vs Washington DC
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Washington DC to Arkansas including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Arkansas.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Arkansas from Washington DC.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Arkansas from Washington DC
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax hike when moving to Arkansas from Washington DC.
Arkansas Income Tax (effective rates)
3.18% (single) & 3.83% (joint)
Arkansas has a state income tax with an effective rate of 3.18% for single filers, and 3.83% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
18.47%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is higher in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay more in income tax in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Arkansas: 18.47% (single), 18.78% (joint)
- Washington DC: 16.40% (single), 10.49% (joint)
In Arkansas, your tax would be . In Washington DC, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Arkansas from Washington DC
- State Income Tax (single filers): 3.18% in Arkansas vs 4.73% in Washington DC
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 3.83% in Arkansas vs 3.52% in Washington DC
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 18.47% in Arkansas vs 16.40% in Washington DC
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 18.78% in Arkansas vs 10.49% in Washington DC
Sales Tax in Arkansas vs Washington DC
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Arkansas Sales Tax
6.50%
Arkansas has a state sales tax rate of 6.5%.
The sales tax rate is higher in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay more on sales tax in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Property Taxes in Arkansas vs Washington DC
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Arkansas, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Arkansas Property Tax Estimate
0.62%
The property tax rate is higher in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay more for property taxes in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Home Prices in Arkansas
$127,800
On average, the average home price is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for a house in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Arkansas homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Arkansas vs Washington DC?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Arkansas.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Arkansas and Washington DC to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Arkansas is
-9.70% cheaper
than the national average, compared to 48.70% more expensive for Washington DC.
Arkansas Cost of Living Index
90.3
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for many things in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Cost of Groceries
-4.60% cheaper
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for groceries in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Housing Costs
-23.70% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for housing costs in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Arkansas Utilities
-8.20% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for your monthly utility bills in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Transportation Costs
-7.80% cheaper
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less on transportation in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Healthcare in Arkansas
-12.80% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Miscellaneous Costs
-0.90% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally lower in Arkansas. You’ll likely pay less for these things in Arkansas than you did in Washington DC.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Washington DC to Arkansas.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Arkansas.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Washington DC to Arkansas.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Arkansas to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Arkansas local.