Moving from Evansville, IN to Detroit, MI
Relocating between Evansville, IN and Detroit, MI is a 448 mi drive β 8h 33m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
448 mi Β· 8h 33m by car Β· MI β OH β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 69, SR 25, US 33 |
| 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
| Evansville | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.528 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.717 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.735 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Detroit runs about 9.6% more expensive overall than Evansville β RPP 91.528 β 100.298.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $198,977 in Evansville to $75,358 in Detroit, a 9.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Evansville +3.7%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Evansville | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 34.9" |
Expect 8.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Evansville | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $52,251 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.6% β $52,251 β $39,575 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Indiana and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Evansville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $41,930 in the Evansville MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 152,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Evansville vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $52,251 in Evansville β a 24.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Evansville to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 448 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Evansville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $198,977 in Evansville β a 62.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Detroit more expensive than Evansville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 9.6% higher than Evansville (100.298 vs 91.528, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Detroit, MI from Evansville, IN?
The driving distance is 448 mi and the route typically takes 8h 33m via I 69 and SR 25. The trip crosses 3 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 Evansville.
City profiles: Evansville, IN Β· Detroit, MI.