Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Detroit, MI
It is 688 mi between Minneapolis and Detroit β roughly 12h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
688 mi Β· 12h 55m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β WI β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β WI β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 104.822 vs 100.298 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $330,882 to $75,358 moving to Detroit.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Minneapolis (45.8Β°F) and Detroit (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.51 |
Detroit households earn about 4.3% less than Minneapolis at the median β $80,269 β $39,575 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit 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 Minnesota 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Detroit, MI from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 688 mi and the route typically takes 12h 55m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 50.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 688 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Detroit more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 4.3% lower than Minneapolis (100.298 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 77.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Detroit, MI.