Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Detroit, MI
It is a short 39 mi hop from Ann Arbor, MI to Detroit, MI β roughly 51 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
39 mi Β· 51 min by car Β· MI
Distance & route
| Route through | MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | M 14, I 96, M 8 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.88 vs 100.298 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $523,391 to $75,358 moving to Detroit.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Ann Arbor (48.2Β°F) and Detroit (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.51 |
Detroit households earn about 0.6% less than Ann Arbor at the median β $81,089 β $39,575 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 85.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 51.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Detroit, MI from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 51 min via M 14 and I 96. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Detroit more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 0.6% lower than Ann Arbor (100.298 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 Β· Detroit, MI.