Moving from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO
It is 525 mi between Detroit and St. Louis β roughly 10h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
525 mi Β· 10h 5m by car Β· MI β OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 69, SR 25 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Detroit | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has St. Louis at 95.088 vs Detroit at 100.298.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature rises 7.7Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 5.2% more than Detroit at the median β $39,575 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 525 mi and the route typically takes 10h 5m via I 70 and I 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 5.2% lower than Detroit (95.088 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 39.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Detroit to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 525 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 Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· St. Louis, MO.