Moving from Detroit, MI to Laredo, TX
Cross-country relocations like Detroit, MI β Laredo, TX cover 1606 mi and about 28h 48m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1606 mi Β· 28h 48m by car Β· MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 30, US 70 |
| 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 | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Laredo are 13.3% below Detroit β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 13.3% above Detroit at $75,358 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 19.7" |
NOAA normals show Laredo running 24.7Β°F above Detroit on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.3% between Detroit and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.7Β°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
Is Laredo more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 13.3% lower than Detroit (86.956 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 59.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1606 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 192.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 1606 mi and the route typically takes 28h 48m via I 35 and I 30. 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 Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Laredo, TX.