Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Dearborn, MI
It is 578 mi between Philadelphia and Dearborn — roughly 10h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
578 mi · 10h 44m by car · PA → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, PATP, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, Ann Arbor |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 102.554 vs 100.298 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.2% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 35.1" |
Annual temperature drops 8.2°F moving to Dearborn per NOAA normals.
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: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.97 |
Households in Dearborn earn about 2.2% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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 does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 7.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 578 mi and the route typically takes 10h 44m via I 76 and PATP. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (8.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 50.7 in.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia 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 578 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 5.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 2.2% lower than Philadelphia (100.298 vs 102.554, 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 Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Dearborn, MI.