Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Goodyear, AZ
It is 2044 mi and 36h 21m from Ann Arbor to Goodyear — a cross-country move across 8 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.
2044 mi · 36h 21m by car · MI → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MI → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Ann Arbor and Goodyear sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Goodyear run about 2.4% cheaper — ZHVI $523,391 → $469,424 (2026-03).
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 25.7°F — 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 73.9°F in Goodyear, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Goodyear sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.87 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.4% — $81,089 → $101,814 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 10.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 25.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2044 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 2.4% higher than Ann Arbor (103.316 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 2044 mi and the route typically takes 36h 21m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (25.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 37.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · Goodyear, AZ.