Moving from Buffalo, NY to Detroit, MI
It is a 363 mi drive, roughly 7h 6m, between Buffalo, NY and Detroit, MI. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
363 mi Β· 7h 6m by car Β· MI β OH β PA β NY
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β PA β NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 271, I 80 |
| 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
| Buffalo | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.844 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 129.489 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.989 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Buffalo 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 $238,089 in Buffalo to $75,358 in Detroit, a 4.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Buffalo +3.8%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Buffalo | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 95.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 34.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 48.8Β°F vs 50.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BUFFALO, NY US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Buffalo | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $48,050 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.51 |
Households in Detroit earn about 4.6% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 New York 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Detroit more expensive than Buffalo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 4.6% higher than Buffalo (100.298 vs 95.844, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Buffalo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 526,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Detroit, MI from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance is 363 mi and the route typically takes 7h 6m via I 90 and I 271. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Buffalo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $238,089 in Buffalo β a 68.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Buffalo vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $48,050 in Buffalo β a 17.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Buffalo to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 363 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Buffalo.
City profiles: Buffalo, NY Β· Detroit, MI.