Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Irving, TX
Relocating 1188 mi from Ann Arbor to Irving is a 21h 11m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1188 mi · 21h 11m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.4°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.71 |
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 Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 1.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irving more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 2.2% higher than Ann Arbor (103.09 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Irving, TX from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1188 mi and the route typically takes 21h 11m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1188 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 34.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (18.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 37.9 in.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 215,300 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 Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · Irving, TX.