Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Dearborn, MI
It is 606 mi between Elizabeth and Dearborn — roughly 11h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
606 mi · 11h 26m by car · NJ → PA → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 75, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.9% moving from Elizabeth to Dearborn — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,667 in Elizabeth to $245,068 in Dearborn, a 10.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 35.1" |
Annual temperature drops 6.0°F moving to Dearborn per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dearborn sees 30.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.97 |
Household income lines up — $63,874 vs $65,192 on ACS 5-year 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 New Jersey 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 2.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 606 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 54.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 606 mi and the route typically takes 11h 26m via I 80 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (6.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 46.6 in.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 10.9% lower than Elizabeth (100.298 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Dearborn, MI.