Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Colorado Springs, CO
The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Colorado Springs, CO runs 1296 mi — about 23h 5m 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.
1296 mi · 23h 5m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Lakewood, Aurora, Denver, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Ann Arbor (100.88) and Colorado Springs (100.707) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Colorado Springs ZHVI at $449,452 is 0.2% below Ann Arbor at $523,391.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 15.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.5 in of snowfall annually at Colorado Springs.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.44 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 0.2% lower than Ann Arbor (100.707 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 2.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1296 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1296 mi and the route typically takes 23h 5m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 14.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 37.9 in.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · Colorado Springs, CO.