Moving from Kent, WA to Dearborn, MI
A 2319 mi cross-country move between Kent and Dearborn is 40h 59m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2319 mi Β· 40h 59m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.7% moving from Kent to Dearborn β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $656,314 in Kent to $245,068 in Dearborn, a 9.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 35.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.8Β°F vs 49.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dearborn sees 30.8 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.97 |
Dearborn households earn about 9.7% less than Kent at the median β $90,416 β $65,192 on ACS 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 Washington 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 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β 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: Dearborn averages 30.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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 far is Dearborn, MI from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2319 mi and the route typically takes 40h 59m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $656,314 in Kent β a 62.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 9.7% lower than Kent (100.298 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $90,416 in Kent β a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Dearborn, MI.