Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Dearborn, MI
The drive from Jacksonville, FL to Dearborn, MI runs 1017 mi — about 19h 7m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1017 mi · 19h 7m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC → VA → WV → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC → VA → WV → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 77, I 95, US 250 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, Columbia, Charlotte, Concord, Akron |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Dearborn and Jacksonville is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Dearborn is 0.8% below Jacksonville ($245,068 vs $282,895 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 35.1" |
Dearborn runs 21.9°F colder on the annual average (71.4°F vs 49.5°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Dearborn averages 30.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.97 |
Median household incomes in Jacksonville ($66,981) and Dearborn ($65,192) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn 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 Florida 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 — 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Dearborn averages 30.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (21.9°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1017 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 1017 mi and the route typically takes 19h 7m via I 77 and I 95. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 2.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (21.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 47.6 in.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 0.8% higher than Jacksonville (100.298 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Dearborn, MI.