Moving from Houston, TX to Dearborn, MI
Relocating 1290 mi from Houston to Dearborn is a 23h 44m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1290 mi · 23h 44m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, US 59, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Houston and Dearborn 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 Dearborn run about 1.7% cheaper — ZHVI $264,336 → $245,068 (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 35.1" |
Annual average temperature drops 21.1°F — 70.6°F in Houston vs 49.5°F in Dearborn, per NOAA 1991–2020 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: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.97 |
Household income lines up — $62,894 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 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 — Dearborn averages 30.8 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 (21.1°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 Houston vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $62,894 in Houston — a 3.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 1290 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 70.6°F in Houston (21.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 54.1 in.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 1.7% higher than Houston (100.298 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1290 mi and the route typically takes 23h 44m via I 57 and US 59. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $264,336 in Houston — a 7.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Dearborn, MI.