Moving from Seattle, WA to Ann Arbor, MI
Cross-country relocations like Seattle, WA → Ann Arbor, MI cover 2289 mi and about 40h 26m 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.
2289 mi · 40h 26m by car · WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Ann Arbor is 9.2% cheaper than Seattle overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Ann Arbor is 9.2% below Seattle — $868,680 vs $523,391 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 37.9" |
Climate cools by 5.0°F on the annual average — 53.2°F → 48.2°F.
Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.2% between Seattle and Ann Arbor (ACS 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 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 — 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — 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 — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Seattle 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 2289 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2289 mi and the route typically takes 40h 26m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Ann Arbor?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 53.2°F in Seattle (5.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 59.3 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.9 in vs 37.8 in.
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 39.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 9.2% lower than Seattle (100.88 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 33.5% 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Ann Arbor, MI.