Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Dearborn, MI
It is 1329 mi between Colorado Springs and Dearborn — roughly 23h 39m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1329 mi · 23h 39m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 94, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.707 vs 100.298 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $449,452 to $245,068 moving to Dearborn.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 35.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Colorado Springs (50.5°F) and Dearborn (49.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Dearborn averages 30.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.97 |
Dearborn households earn about 0.4% less than Colorado Springs at the median — $83,198 → $65,192 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn 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.
Moving between Colorado and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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: Dearborn averages 30.8 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Dearborn more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 0.4% lower than Colorado Springs (100.298 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1329 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 45.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1329 mi and the route typically takes 23h 39m via I 80 and I 94. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 15.9 in.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 21.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Dearborn, MI.