Moving from Carrollton, TX to Dearborn, MI
It is 1186 mi between Carrollton and Dearborn β roughly 21h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1186 mi Β· 21h 26m 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, US 67, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | Dearborn | 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 |
Carrollton and Dearborn 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 $406,040 in Carrollton to $245,068 in Dearborn, a 2.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 35.1" |
Annual average temperature drops 16.3Β°F β 65.8Β°F in Carrollton vs 49.5Β°F in Dearborn, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dearborn sees 30.8 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.97 |
Dearborn households earn about 2.7% less than Carrollton at the median β $99,115 β $65,192 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn 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: Dearborn averages 30.8 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 (16.3Β°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 Carrollton to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1186 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 2.7% lower than Carrollton (100.298 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 39.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 34.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton 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 Dearborn, MI from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 1186 mi and the route typically takes 21h 26m via I 30 and US 67. 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 Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Dearborn, MI.