Moving from Provo, UT to Dearborn, MI
Cross-country relocations like Provo, UT → Dearborn, MI cover 1673 mi and about 29h 19m of driving through 7 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.
1673 mi · 29h 19m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Provo (98.232) and Dearborn (100.298) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Dearborn: 2.1% below Provo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 35.1" |
Climate cools by 5.1°F on the annual average — 54.6°F → 49.5°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 30.8 in of snowfall annually at Dearborn.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.97 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Provo and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 54.6°F in Provo (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 17.2 in.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $62,800 in Provo — a 3.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1673 mi and the route typically takes 29h 19m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 2.1% higher than Provo (100.298 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 1673 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $484,203 in Provo — a 49.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 293,170 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Dearborn, MI.