Moving from West Jordan, UT to Sterling Heights, MI
Moving from West Jordan, UT to Sterling Heights, MI is a 1686 mi cross-country relocation β about 29h 33m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1686 mi Β· 29h 33m 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, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Sterling Heights | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sterling Heights and West Jordan 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 Sterling Heights is 0.6% below West Jordan β $561,836 vs $306,785 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Sterling Heights +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 35.0" |
Sterling Heights is 5.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (54.5Β°F vs 48.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Sterling Heights averages 32.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 133,473 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $78,429 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Sterling Heights is 0.6% below West Jordan ($103,960 vs $78,429, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sterling Heights 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Sterling Heights averages 32.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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
When is the best time to move from West Jordan to Sterling Heights?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1686 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sterling Heights compared to West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,785 in Sterling Heights vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 45.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Jordan vs Sterling Heights?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,429 in Sterling Heights vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sterling Heights compare to West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Sterling Heights MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sterling Heights, MI from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 1686 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sterling Heights more expensive than West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sterling Heights is 0.6% lower than West Jordan (100.298 vs 100.868, 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 West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Sterling Heights, MI.