Moving from Dearborn, MI to Milwaukee, WI
It is a 366 mi drive, roughly 7h 1m, between Dearborn, MI and Milwaukee, WI. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
366 mi · 7h 1m by car · WI → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 41 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Chicago, South Bend, Ann Arbor |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dearborn | Milwaukee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 96.937 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 91.59 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 97.111 | 100.0 |
Dearborn and Milwaukee sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Milwaukee run about 3.4% cheaper — ZHVI $245,068 → $220,137 (2026-03).
YoY change: Dearborn +4.3%, Milwaukee +3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dearborn | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 30.8" | 39.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 33.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 49.5°F vs 48.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Milwaukee sees 39.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DEARBORN, MI US, MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dearborn | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 569,756 |
| Median household income | $65,192 | $51,888 |
| Median age | 32.6 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.47 |
Milwaukee households earn about 3.4% less than Dearborn at the median — $65,192 → $51,888 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Milwaukee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 96,990 | $45,330 |
| Production Occupations | 76,240 | $46,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 72,420 | $39,810 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 71,930 | $38,320 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 66,240 | $29,690 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — 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
- Winter gear first: Milwaukee averages 39.5 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 Wisconsin after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Milwaukee compare to Dearborn?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA vs $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA, on total employment of 814,950 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Dearborn and Milwaukee?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.3°F in Milwaukee vs 49.5°F in Dearborn (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 39.5 in vs 30.8 in. Annual precipitation: 33.8 in vs 35.1 in.
Is Milwaukee more expensive than Dearborn?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Milwaukee is 3.4% lower than Dearborn (96.937 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dearborn vs Milwaukee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,888 in Milwaukee vs $65,192 in Dearborn — a 20.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Milwaukee compared to Dearborn?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,137 in Milwaukee vs $245,068 in Dearborn — a 10.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Milwaukee, WI from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance is 366 mi and the route typically takes 7h 1m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dearborn to Milwaukee?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 366 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Dearborn.
City profiles: Dearborn, MI · Milwaukee, WI.