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Arkansas to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 848 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler temperatures), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
  • Michigan housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in Michigan is 10.22% more expensive than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Arkansas to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Michigan

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Humid summers
  • Limited public transit
  • Lower job diversity
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Higher tornado risk
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Reliable transit options
  • Diverse job market
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Less severe weather

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Higher cost of living
  • Harsh winters
  • More urbanized areas
  • More transient population
  • Longer commute times
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Mild winters
  • Smaller communities
  • Friendly locals
  • Quicker commutes

Pros of moving from Arkansas to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to cooler temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Michigan with reliable transit options
  • Swap the lower job diversity of Arkansas for a diverse job market in Michigan
  • Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Michigan

Cons of moving from Arkansas to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with the higher cost of living in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to smaller communities and get used to more urbanized areas in Michigan
  • Swap friendly locals for a more transient population

Arkansas vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasMichigan
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishCherry Pie
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsPasties
Most popular street food itemFried PicklesConey Dog
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitTempeh Reuben Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • Whole Hog Cafe
  • The Root Cafe
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • American Coney Island
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Arkansas to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Fried Pickles, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben Sandwich of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Whole Hog Cafe, and The Root Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and American Coney Island.

When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Michigan

ComparisonArkansasMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, PrivacyLake access, Proximity to cities
  • The Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and proximity to cities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Michigan is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Michigan is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • Michigan housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in Michigan is 10.22% more expensive than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Michigan

ComparisonArkansasMichigan
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, floodsSnowstorms, occasional tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 72Β°F81Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)51Β°F / 32Β°F31Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"30"-38"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"60"-160"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Michigan. Michigan gets 22% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and occasional tornadoes in Michigan.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 11 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows in Michigan are 14 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Michigan

ComparisonArkansasMichigan
Avg. Household Income$55,432$66,986
Cost of Living Index90.591.2
State Income Tax2.0% - 4.9%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%1.45%
Avg. Sales Tax6.5%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TourismAutomotive, Healthcare, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyReducingStable
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 21% more than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in Michigan is 1% higher than what you are used to in Arkansas
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 2.0% - 4.9% in AR
  • The affluence in Michigan is higher compared to moderate in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is stable in Michigan compared to a reduction in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Michigan

ComparisonArkansasMichigan
Political Make-upConservative-leaningModerately liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in state governmentMixed, with Democratic strongholds in urban areas
ReligionEvangelical Christian majorityDiverse, with larger Christian plurality
  • Arkansas tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as moderately liberal
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as diverse with a larger Christian plurality
  • Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as an evangelical Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Michigan

ComparisonArkansasMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Elementary (Little Rock)
Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock)
Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville)
Bates Elementary (Dexter)
Angell Elementary (Ann Arbor)
Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy (Plymouth)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLisa Academy (Little Rock)
Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville)
Fulbright Junior High (Bentonville)
East Middle School (Farmington Hills)
West Middle School (Rochester Hills)
Bates Academy (Detroit)
Top 3 High SchoolsHaas Hall Academy (Fayetteville)
Bentonville High School (Bentonville)
Little Rock Central High School (Little Rock)
International Academy (Bloomfield Hills)
Troy High School (Troy)
Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor)
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock)
Subiaco Academy (Subiaco)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsEpiscopal Collegiate School (Little Rock)
The New School (Fayetteville)
Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Top 3 School DistrictsBentonville School District
Fayetteville School District
Rogers School District
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Bloomfield Hills Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools

How Much Do Arkansas to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 848 miles from Arkansas to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,683300 ft3$5.61
1 Bedroom$2,502450 ft3$5.56
2 Bedrooms$4,133750 ft3$5.51
3 Bedrooms$6,0071100 ft3$5.46
4 Bedrooms$8,6571600 ft3$5.41
5+ Bedrooms$9,6491800 ft3$5.36

Top Arkansas to Michigan Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Arkansas to Michigan Routes

Little Rock to Michigan