Moving from Provo, UT to Detroit, MI
Cross-country relocations like Provo, UT β Detroit, MI cover 1676 mi and about 29h 23m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1676 mi Β· 29h 23m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| 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
| Provo | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Detroit and Provo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Detroit is 2.1% below Provo β $484,203 vs $75,358 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Provo | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Provo (54.6Β°F) and Detroit (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.1% between Provo and Detroit (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 Utah 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Provo vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $62,800 in Provo β a 37.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Detroit, MI from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1676 mi and the route typically takes 29h 23m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Provo to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1676 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Detroit more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 2.1% higher than Provo (100.298 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $484,203 in Provo β a 84.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT Β· Detroit, MI.