Moving from Detroit, MI to Colorado Springs, CO
It is 1333 mi between Detroit and Colorado Springs β roughly 23h 45m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1333 mi Β· 23h 45m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Detroit | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.298 vs 100.707 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $75,358 to $449,452 moving to Colorado Springs.
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Detroit (50.3Β°F) and Colorado Springs (50.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.44 |
Colorado Springs households earn about 0.4% more than Detroit at the median β $39,575 β $83,198 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 496.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 0.4% higher than Detroit (100.707 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 110.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1333 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 1333 mi and the route typically takes 23h 45m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Colorado Springs, CO.