Indiana to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 325 mile interstate move from Indiana to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler lake breezes), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Sugar Cream Pie, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Michigan is 7.49% more expensive than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Indiana to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Michigan
- Humid summers
- Flat landscape
- Limited tech jobs
- Lacks diverse cities
- Pothole-filled roads
- Cooler lake breezes
- Scenic Great Lakes
- Growing tech sector
- Cultural hubs, like Detroit
- Improved infrastructure
- Higher housing prices
- Adjustment to new taxes
- Less community feeling in cities
- Harsher winters
- Fewer automotive events
- Lower cost of living
- Familiarity
- Close-knit communities
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Biggest auto racing venues
Pros of moving from Indiana to Michigan
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to cooler lake breezes
- Look forward to moving away from a flat landscape and moving to Michigan with scenic Great Lakes
- Swap the limited tech jobs of Indiana for a growing tech sector in Michigan
- Get ready for cultural hubs like Detroit in Michigan
Cons of moving from Indiana to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Indiana to live with higher housing prices in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of familiarity and have to settle with the con of adjusting to new taxes
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a less community feeling in cities in Michigan
- Swap a relaxed lifestyle for harsher winters
Indiana vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Sugar Cream Pie | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Deep Fried Pickles | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ Ribs | Lentil Walnut Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 Indiana to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Sugar Cream Pie and sumptuous Deep Fried Pickles, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ Ribs they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Walnut Burger of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Loose Goose. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingermanβs Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and Bellβs Eccentric CafΓ©.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Michigan
Comparison | Indiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, open-concept layouts | Lakefront, energy efficiency |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Bungalow architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and open-concept layouts, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront properties and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Michigan is less walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Michigan is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Michigan housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45%, compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Michigan is 7.49% more expensive than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Michigan
Comparison | Indiana | 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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 81/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36/18 | 32/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 34.5 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Indiana to Michigan. Michigan gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Indiana.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and floods in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 4 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows in Michigan are 0 degrees colder than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 7.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Michigan
Comparison | Indiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86% | 1.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Education, Healthcare | Automotive, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 0% more than those in Indiana
- The COLI in Michigan will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Michigan
Comparison | Indiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative | Swing state, leans slightly liberal |
Local Politics | Republican dominance in state governance | Mixed; Democratic in urban, Republican in rural areas |
Religion | Christian majority, Evangelical Protestants prevalent | Christian majority, but more Catholic presence |
- Indiana tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that leans slightly liberal
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a more significant Catholic presence
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with Evangelical Protestants being prevalent
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Michigan
Comparison | Indiana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Signature School Evansville; West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School; Munster High School | Okemos Public Schools; East Grand Rapids Public Schools; Bloomfield Hills Schools |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Jefferson Middle School Valparaiso; Chesterton Middle School; Brown County Middle School Nashville | Warner Middle School Farmington; Smith Middle School Troy; Clague Middle School Ann Arbor |
Top 3 High School Schools | Signature School Evansville; Carmel High School; West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School | International Academy Bloomfield Twp; Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Warren; Troy High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Park Tudor School Indianapolis; Culver Academies Culver; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis | Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills; Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills; The Roeper School Birmingham |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Park Tudor School Indianapolis; Culver Academies Culver; Traders Point Christian Academy Whitestown | Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills; Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills; Greenhills School Ann Arbor |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools; West Lafayette Community School Corporation; School Town of Munster | Okemos Public Schools; East Grand Rapids Public Schools; Bloomfield Hills Schools |
How Much Do Indiana to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 325 miles from Indiana to Michigan will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- 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 | $1,387 | 300 ft3 | $4.62 |
1 Bedroom | $2,058 | 450 ft3 | $4.57 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,392 | 750 ft3 | $4.52 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,920 | 1100 ft3 | $4.47 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,076 | 1600 ft3 | $4.42 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,870 | 1800 ft3 | $4.37 |
Top Indiana to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.