Moving from Dallas, TX to Ann Arbor, MI
It is 1172 mi between Dallas and Ann Arbor — roughly 20h 49m 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.
1172 mi · 20h 49m 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 | Arlington, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 103.09 vs 100.88 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 2.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $309,421 to $523,391 moving to Ann Arbor.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.9" |
Expect 19.8°F colder on average per year — plan for heating load and winter gear.
Ann Arbor averages 59.3 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: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.43 |
Households in Ann Arbor earn about 2.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ann Arbor MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 29,010 | $50,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 25,400 | $81,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,670 | $42,280 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,280 | $32,120 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in annually vs 1.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.8°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Ann Arbor?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1172 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Ann Arbor?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 68.0°F in Dallas (19.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 59.3 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.9 in vs 38.3 in.
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 2.1% lower than Dallas (100.88 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 19.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1172 mi and the route typically takes 20h 49m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 69.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Ann Arbor, MI.