Moving from Peoria, AZ to Dearborn, MI
Cross-country relocations like Peoria, AZ → Dearborn, MI cover 2009 mi and about 35h 44m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2009 mi · 35h 44m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Dearborn and Peoria are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.316 vs 100.298); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Dearborn typical home at $245,068 is 2.9% under Peoria at $488,596 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria -1.6%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 35.1" |
NOAA normals show Dearborn running 20.7°F below Peoria on the annual mean.
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: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $93,403 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 42.1 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.97 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.9% between Peoria and Dearborn (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 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 — 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 (20.7°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
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 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 Peoria and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 70.2°F in Peoria (20.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 9.6 in.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $48,600 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $488,596 in Peoria — a 49.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Peoria, AZ?
The driving distance is 2009 mi and the route typically takes 35h 44m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 2.9% lower than Peoria (100.298 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $93,403 in Peoria — a 30.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, AZ · Dearborn, MI.