Moving from St. Louis, MO to Detroit, MI
Relocating 525 mi from St. Louis to Detroit is a 10h 5m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
525 mi Β· 10h 5m by car Β· MI β OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 69, SR 25 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Detroit | 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, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 34.9" |
Expect 7.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.5% β $55,279 β $39,575 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Detroit, MI from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 525 mi and the route typically takes 10h 5m via I 70 and I 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 525 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Detroit compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit 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.
Is Detroit more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit 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 does household income compare in St. Louis vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 28.4% 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Detroit, MI.