Moving from Dearborn, MI to Detroit, MI
The drive from Dearborn to Detroit covers 10 mi in about 19 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
10 mi · 19 min by car · MI
Distance & route
| Route through | MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, US 12, M 10 |
| Major cities en route | Sterling Heights, Warren, Ann Arbor |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dearborn | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Detroit and Dearborn is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Detroit is 0.0% below Dearborn — $245,068 vs $75,358 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Dearborn +4.3%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 30.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Dearborn (49.5°F) and Detroit (50.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DEARBORN, MI US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $65,192 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 32.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Dearborn and Detroit (ACS 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Dearborn vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $65,192 in Dearborn — a 39.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Dearborn?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Dearborn to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 10 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Detroit, MI from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance is 10 mi and the route typically takes 19 min via I 94 and US 12. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Dearborn?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $245,068 in Dearborn — a 69.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dearborn.
City profiles: Dearborn, MI · Detroit, MI.