Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Spokane, WA
A 2011 mi cross-country move between Ann Arbor and Spokane is 35h 19m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2011 mi Β· 35h 19m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Sioux Falls, Rochester, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Spokane | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 17.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.37 |
Households in Spokane earn about 0.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Spokane more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane is 0.5% lower than Ann Arbor (100.346 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Spokane compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 24.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 18.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Spokane, WA from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 2011 mi and the route typically takes 35h 19m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2011 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Spokane, WA.