Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Dearborn, MI
It is a 366 mi drive, roughly 7h 1m, between Milwaukee, WI and Dearborn, MI. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
366 mi · 7h 1m by car · WI → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 41 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Chicago, South Bend, Ann Arbor |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.5% above Milwaukee — $220,137 → $245,068 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 35.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 30.8 in of snowfall annually at Dearborn.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.97 |
Dearborn households earn about 3.5% more than Milwaukee at the median — $51,888 → $65,192 on 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- 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: Dearborn averages 30.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 3.5% higher than Milwaukee (100.298 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 366 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 25.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 366 mi and the route typically takes 7h 1m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 33.8 in.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 814,950 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 Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Dearborn, MI.