Moving from Provo, UT to Ann Arbor, MI
It is 1640 mi and 28h 44m from Provo to Ann Arbor — a cross-country move across 7 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.
1640 mi · 28h 44m by car · MI → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | MI → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.7% above Provo — $484,203 → $523,391 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 37.9" |
Expect 6.4°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 59.3 in of snowfall annually at Ann Arbor.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.43 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.7% — $62,800 → $81,089 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Utah 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Ann Arbor averages 59.3 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 much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $484,203 in Provo — a 8.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 1640 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 2.7% higher than Provo (100.88 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Ann Arbor?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 54.6°F in Provo (6.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 59.3 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.9 in vs 17.2 in.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1640 mi and the route typically takes 28h 44m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $62,800 in Provo — a 29.1% higher 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Ann Arbor, MI.