Moving from Arlington, TX to Sterling Heights, MI
Relocating 1223 mi from Arlington to Sterling Heights is a 22h 13m 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.
1223 mi Β· 22h 13m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL β IN β OH β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL β IN β OH β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 57, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Sterling Heights | 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 Sterling Heights 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 for Sterling Heights ($306,785) sits close to Arlington ($310,971) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Sterling Heights +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 35.0" |
Annual average temperature drops 18.1Β°F β 66.8Β°F in Arlington vs 48.7Β°F in Sterling Heights, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Sterling Heights sees 32.2 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 133,473 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $78,429 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% higher in Sterling Heights than Arlington.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sterling Heights 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
- Winter gear first: Sterling Heights averages 32.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.1Β°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
How much do homes cost in Sterling Heights compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,785 in Sterling Heights vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 1.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sterling Heights more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sterling Heights is 2.7% lower than Arlington (100.298 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Sterling Heights?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1223 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Sterling Heights?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,429 in Sterling Heights vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 6.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sterling Heights compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Sterling Heights 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 far is Sterling Heights, MI from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1223 mi and the route typically takes 22h 13m via I 30 and I 57. 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· Sterling Heights, MI.