Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Austin, TX
The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Austin, TX runs 1367 mi — about 24h 14m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1367 mi · 24h 14m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Ann Arbor (100.88) and Austin (98.066) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $523,391 vs $508,530 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 36.3" |
Major climate step-up: 21.8°F warmer annual average in Austin vs Ann Arbor.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.2 |
Income steps up 2.8%: $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $91,461 in Austin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 12.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1367 mi and the route typically takes 24h 14m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (21.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 37.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 2.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1367 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Austin more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 2.8% lower than Ann Arbor (98.066 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · Austin, TX.