Moving from Lansing, MI to Goodyear, AZ
It is 2018 mi and 35h 56m from Lansing to Goodyear — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2018 mi · 35h 56m by car · MI → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MI → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lansing | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.991 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.519 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.472 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Goodyear runs about 8.8% more expensive overall than Lansing — RPP 94.991 → 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,359 in Lansing to $469,424 in Goodyear, a 8.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lansing +4.0%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lansing | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 50.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 25.4°F — 48.5°F in Lansing vs 73.9°F in Goodyear, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Goodyear sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANSING CAPITAL CITY AP, MI US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lansing | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $52,170 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.87 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.8% — $52,170 → $101,814 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lansing to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2018 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Lansing?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $163,359 in Lansing — a 187.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Lansing, MI?
The driving distance is 2018 mi and the route typically takes 35h 56m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Lansing?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $49,250 in the Lansing MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 211,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lansing vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $52,170 in Lansing — a 95.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Lansing and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 48.5°F in Lansing (25.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 50.2 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 33.3 in.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Lansing?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 8.8% higher than Lansing (103.316 vs 94.991, 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 Lansing.
City profiles: Lansing, MI · Goodyear, AZ.