Moving from Detroit, MI to Hialeah, FL
It is 1370 mi between Detroit and Hialeah β roughly 25h 28m 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.
1370 mi Β· 25h 28m by car Β· MI β OH β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, GA 540, SR 4 |
| 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
| Detroit | Hialeah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 13.8% above Detroit β 100.298 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Hialeah -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Hialeah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 62.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 26.6Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, MIAMI OPA LOCKA AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Hialeah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 221,901 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $53,079 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 45.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 14.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.87 |
Hialeah households earn about 13.8% more than Detroit at the median β $39,575 β $53,079 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hialeah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Hialeah average 91Β°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: Hialeah averages 62.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (26.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hialeah compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $443,804 in Hialeah vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 488.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Hialeah compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hialeah MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hialeah, FL from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 1370 mi and the route typically takes 25h 28m via I 75 and GA 540. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Hialeah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1370 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hialeah more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hialeah is 13.8% higher than Detroit (114.155 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Hialeah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,079 in Hialeah vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 34.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Hialeah, FL.