Idaho to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 1,784 mile interstate move from Idaho to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Rainbow Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Detroit-style Coney Dog
- Michigan housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Michigan is 10.21% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Idaho to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Michigan
- Harsh winters
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited cultural events
- Rural lifestyle
- Milder winters
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural scene
- Urban amenities
- Industrial areas
- Higher cost of living
- Population density
- Fewer outdoor options
- Stunning landscapes
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Outdoor recreation
Pros of moving from Idaho to Michigan
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to Michigan with a diverse job market
- Swap the limited cultural events of Idaho for a rich cultural scene in Michigan
- Get ready for urban amenities in Michigan
Cons of moving from Idaho to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Idaho to live with industrial areas in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to population density in Michigan
- Swap outdoor recreation for fewer outdoor options
Idaho vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Rainbow Trout | Detroit-style Coney Dog |
Most popular street food item | Fry Sauce with French Fries | Paczki |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Tempeh Reuben |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Rainbow Trout and sumptuous Fry Sauce with French Fries, Michigan residents know they have tasty Detroit-style Coney Dog and Paczki to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Statehouse, Duckpond Cellars, and Boise Fry Company. 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 Bell's Eccentric Café.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Michigan
Comparison | Idaho | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, Mountain views | Lakeside access, Historic details |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and mountain views, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Michigan housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Michigan is 10.21% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Michigan
Comparison | Idaho | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 47°F | 81°F / 59°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 37°F / 17°F | 32°F / 18°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 19.69 | 32.76 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60 | 60.66 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Michigan. Michigan gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 4 degrees colder than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan. Michigan receives 13.1 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Michigan
Comparison | Idaho | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing | Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 8% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Michigan will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 6.5% in ID
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Michigan
Comparison | Idaho | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservatively dominated | Moderately liberal, with fluctuating swing state dynamics |
Local Politics | Local politics tend to align with state-wide conservative values | Varies widely, with liberal leanings in urban areas and conservative in rural |
Religion | Largely Christian, with significant Mormon community | Diverse, with prominent Christian communities but a broader variety of faiths |
- Idaho tends to lean conservatively in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as moderately liberal with fluctuating swing state dynamics
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as diverse with prominent Christian communities and a broader variety of faiths
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with a significant Mormon community
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Michigan
Comparison | Idaho | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) McCall-Donnelly Elementary School (McCall) Washington Elementary School (Boise) | Bates Academy (Detroit) Wealthy Elementary School (East Grand Rapids) Harlan Elementary School (Birmingham) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School (Boise) Lakeside Middle School (Plummer) Idaho Falls Charter School (Idaho Falls) | Rochester Adams High School (Rochester Hills) East Grand Rapids Middle School (East Grand Rapids) Novi Middle School (Novi) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) Idaho Arts Charter School (Nampa) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Rochester Adams High School (Rochester Hills) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Forrest M. Bird Charter School (Sandpoint) The Village Charter School (Boise) North Star Charter School (Eagle) | Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Roeper School (Birmingham) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Coeur d'Alene School District Blaine County School District | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Birmingham Public Schools |
How Much Do Idaho to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 1,784 miles from Idaho to Michigan will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,214 | 300 ft3 | $7.38 |
1 Bedroom | $3,298 | 450 ft3 | $7.33 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,460 | 750 ft3 | $7.28 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,953 | 1100 ft3 | $7.23 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,487 | 1600 ft3 | $7.18 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,833 | 1800 ft3 | $7.13 |
Top Idaho to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.