Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Long Beach, CA
Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Long Beach, CA is a 2254 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 49m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2254 mi Β· 39h 49m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.6% pricier overall in Long Beach than Ann Arbor on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 12.6% above Ann Arbor at $523,391 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 12.0" |
NOAA normals show Long Beach running 16.7Β°F above Ann Arbor on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.68 |
Household income lines up β $81,089 vs $83,969 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 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 (16.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2254 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 Long Beach compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 63.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 12.6% higher than Ann Arbor (113.566 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 3.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 2254 mi and the route typically takes 39h 49m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI Β· Long Beach, CA.