Moving from Laredo, TX to Dearborn, MI

Moving from Laredo, TX to Dearborn, MI is a 1599 mi cross-country relocation — about 28h 41m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.

1599 mi · 28h 41m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI

COL +15.3% Home values +11.2% Δ -25.5°F annual Δ +30.7" snow

Distance & route

Driving
1599 mi
Drive time
28h 41m
States
7
Fuel (25 mpg)
64 gal
Route throughTX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Primary highwaysI 35, I 30, I 57
Major cities en routeSan Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

LaredoDearbornU.S. avg
All items (RPP)86.956100.298100.0
Rents80.614106.988100.0
Goods93.75798.817100.0
Services59.74694.69100.0

Overall cost of living in Dearborn is 15.3% higher than Laredo, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Laredo — typical home
$220,331
Dearborn — typical home
$245,068
Laredo — typical rent
$1,330/mo
Dearborn — typical rent
$1,765/mo

Typical home value in Dearborn is 15.3% above Laredo ($245,068 vs $220,331 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).

YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsLaredoDearborn
Annual avg temperature75°F50°F
January avg low47°F18°F
July avg high100°F84°F
Annual snowfall0.1"30.8"
Annual precipitation19.7"35.1"

Dearborn runs 25.5°F colder on the annual average (75.0°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: LAREDO 2, TX US, DEARBORN, MI US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023LaredoDearborn
Population255,949107,846
Median household income$63,264$65,192
Median age29.732.6
Bachelor's degree or higher15.1%20.1%
Avg household size3.362.97

Median household incomes in Laredo ($63,264) and Dearborn ($65,192) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Laredo MSA — median wage
$35,220
Dearborn MSA — median wage
$48,950
Laredo MSA — employment
104,610
Dearborn MSA — employment
1,900,180

Top occupations in Dearborn MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Texas and Michigan

Texas income tax
no state income tax
Michigan income tax
4.25% top marginal

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

  • 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 0.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
  • You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (25.5°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

Is Dearborn more expensive than Laredo?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 15.3% higher than Laredo (100.298 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 1599 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

What is the climate difference between Laredo and Dearborn?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 75.0°F in Laredo (25.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 19.7 in.

How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Laredo?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 11.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Laredo vs Dearborn?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 3.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Laredo?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How far is Dearborn, MI from Laredo, TX?

The driving distance is 1599 mi and the route typically takes 28h 41m 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 Laredo.

City profiles: Laredo, TX · Dearborn, MI.

Related routes