Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Laredo, TX
A 1600 mi cross-country move between Ann Arbor and Laredo is 28h 21m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1600 mi · 28h 21m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 35, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Ann Arbor at 100.88.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $523,391 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 19.7" |
Expect 26.8°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 13.8% less than Ann Arbor at the median — $81,089 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 (26.8°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
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1600 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 22.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 13.8% lower than Ann Arbor (86.956 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1600 mi and the route typically takes 28h 21m via I 57 and I 35. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (26.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 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 · Laredo, TX.