Arkansas to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

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
- Humid summers
- Limited public transit
- Lower job diversity
- Fewer cultural events
- Higher tornado risk
- Cooler temperatures
- Reliable transit options
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural scene
- Less severe weather
- Higher cost of living
- Harsh winters
- More urbanized areas
- More transient population
- Longer commute times
- 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Fried Pickles | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Tempeh Reuben Sandwich |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
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
Comparison | Arkansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Privacy | Lake 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 Arkansasβs $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
Comparison | Arkansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, floods | Snowstorms, occasional tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 72Β°F | 81Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 51Β°F / 32Β°F | 31Β°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
Comparison | Arkansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 2.0% - 4.9% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.63% | 1.45% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism | Automotive, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Reducing | Stable |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning | Moderately liberal |
Local Politics | Republican dominance in state government | Mixed, with Democratic strongholds in urban areas |
Religion | Evangelical Christian majority | Diverse, 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
Comparison | Arkansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Baker 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 Schools | Lisa 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 Schools | Haas 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 schools | Pulaski 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 schools | Episcopal 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 Districts | Bentonville 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,683 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,502 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,133 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,007 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,657 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,649 | 1800 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.