Moving from Glendale, AZ to Ann Arbor, MI
It is 2009 mi and 35h 29m from Glendale to Ann Arbor — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2009 mi · 35h 29m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Goodyear, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Glendale and Ann Arbor 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $407,332 in Glendale to $523,391 in Ann Arbor, a 2.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Glendale -2.6%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Glendale | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.3" | 37.9" |
Annual average temperature drops 23.7°F — 71.9°F in Glendale vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Ann Arbor sees 59.3 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: YOUNGTOWN, AZ US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,193 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $70,139 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.4% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.43 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.4% higher in Ann Arbor than Glendale.
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 Arizona 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (23.7°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
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $70,139 in Glendale — a 15.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $407,332 in Glendale — a 28.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $48,600 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Glendale, AZ?
The driving distance is 2009 mi and the route typically takes 35h 29m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Glendale 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 2009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Glendale and Ann Arbor?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 71.9°F in Glendale (23.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 59.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.9 in vs 8.3 in.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 2.4% lower than Glendale (100.88 vs 103.316, 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 Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, AZ · Ann Arbor, MI.