Moving from Sterling Heights, MI to Irving, TX
A move from Sterling Heights, MI to Irving, TX covers 1214 mi and around 22h 4m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1214 mi · 22h 4m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 57, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sterling Heights | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Irving and Sterling Heights is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Irving is 2.8% above Sterling Heights ($341,503 vs $306,785 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sterling Heights +3.5%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sterling Heights | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.2" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.0" | 37.0" |
Irving runs 17.9°F warmer on the annual average (48.7°F vs 66.6°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Irving averages 1.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, MI US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sterling Heights | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $78,429 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 41.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.71 |
Median household incomes in Sterling Heights ($78,429) and Irving ($79,641) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Irving compare to Sterling Heights?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $48,950 in the Sterling Heights MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Irving, TX from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance is 1214 mi and the route typically takes 22h 4m via I 30 and I 57. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Sterling Heights and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 48.7°F in Sterling Heights (17.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 32.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 35.0 in.
How does household income compare in Sterling Heights vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $78,429 in Sterling Heights — a 1.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irving more expensive than Sterling Heights?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 2.8% higher than Sterling Heights (103.09 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Sterling Heights?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $306,785 in Sterling Heights — a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sterling Heights to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sterling Heights.
City profiles: Sterling Heights, MI · Irving, TX.