Moving from Arlington, TX to Detroit, MI
Relocating 1203 mi from Arlington to Detroit is a 21h 48m drive through 7 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.
1203 mi Β· 21h 48m by car Β· MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 57 |
| 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
| Arlington | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Arlington and Detroit sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $310,971 in Arlington to $75,358 in Detroit, a 2.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperature drops 16.5Β°F β 66.8Β°F in Arlington vs 50.3Β°F in Detroit, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.7% β $73,519 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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1203 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 Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 46.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Detroit more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 2.7% lower than Arlington (100.298 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 75.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Detroit, MI from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1203 mi and the route typically takes 21h 48m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 7 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 Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Detroit, MI.