Moving from Dearborn, MI to Houston, TX
Relocating 1290 mi from Dearborn to Houston is a 23h 44m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1290 mi · 23h 44m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, US 59, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dearborn | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.298 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.7% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Dearborn +4.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dearborn | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 30.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 54.1" |
Expect 21.1°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DEARBORN, MI US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dearborn | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $65,192 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 32.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.51 |
Median household incomes in Dearborn ($65,192) and Houston ($62,894) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Houston, TX from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance is 1290 mi and the route typically takes 23h 44m via I 57 and US 59. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Dearborn vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $65,192 in Dearborn — a 3.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Dearborn and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 49.5°F in Dearborn (21.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 30.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 35.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Dearborn to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1290 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Dearborn?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than Dearborn?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 1.7% lower than Dearborn (98.629 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Dearborn?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $245,068 in Dearborn — a 7.9% higher 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 · Houston, TX.