Moving from Long Beach, CA to Ann Arbor, MI
Moving from Long Beach, CA to Ann Arbor, MI is a 2254 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 49m of driving through 10 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.
2254 mi Β· 39h 49m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 100.88, putting Ann Arbor roughly 11.2% below Long Beach on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Ann Arbor: 11.2% below Long Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 37.9" |
Major climate step-down: 16.7Β°F cooler annual average in Ann Arbor vs Long Beach.
Heavy-snow city: expect 59.3 in of snowfall annually at Ann Arbor.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.43 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ann Arbor MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 29,010 | $50,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 25,400 | $81,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,670 | $42,280 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,280 | $32,120 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.7Β°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 Ann Arbor more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 11.2% lower than Long Beach (100.88 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2254 mi and the route typically takes 39h 49m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 39.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Ann Arbor?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2254 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 Ann Arbor compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Ann Arbor, MI.