Moving from St. Louis, MO to Dearborn, MI
It is 519 mi between St. Louis and Dearborn β roughly 9h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
519 mi Β· 9h 58m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 69, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Wayne, Toledo, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Warren |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.5% above St. Louis β 95.088 β 100.298 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 35.1" |
Annual temperature drops 8.5Β°F moving to Dearborn per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 30.8 in of snowfall annually at Dearborn.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.97 |
Households in Dearborn earn about 5.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Missouri 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
- 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 does the job market in Dearborn compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 519 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dearborn more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 5.5% higher than St. Louis (100.298 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Dearborn, MI from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 519 mi and the route typically takes 9h 58m via I 70 and I 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 17.9% 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Dearborn, MI.