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Kentucky to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 554 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity in summer vs mild summer temperatures), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs cape cod, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Coney Dog
  • Michigan housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in Michigan is 10.79% more expensive than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Kentucky to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Michigan

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Humidity in summer
  • Limited job market
  • Frequent severe weather
  • Lack of sports culture
  • Smaller city amenities
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Mild summer temperatures
  • Diversified economy
  • More stable climate
  • Rich sports heritage
  • Vibrant urban life

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Higher costs
  • Harsher winters
  • More urbanized areas
  • Less horse culture
  • Busier cities
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Low cost of living
  • Southern charm
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Derby tradition
  • Cozy small towns

Pros of moving from Kentucky to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to humidity in summer and hello to mild summer temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Michigan with a diversified economy
  • Swap the frequent severe weather of Kentucky for a more stable climate in Michigan
  • Get ready for a rich sports heritage in Michigan

Cons of moving from Kentucky to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Kentucky to live with higher costs in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of southern charm and have to settle for the con of harsher winters
  • Time to bid farewell to outdoor recreation and get used to more urbanized areas in Michigan
  • Swap derby tradition for less horse culture

Kentucky vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckyMichigan
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenCherry Pie
Most popular meat dishBurgooConey Dog
Most popular street food itemHot Brown SandwichPasty
Most popular vegan foodKentucky Beer CheeseTempeh Reuben Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Claudia Sanders Dinner House
  • Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • American Coney Island
  • Frita Batidos
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 Kentucky to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Michigan residents know they have tasty Coney Dog and Pasty to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Beer Cheese 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 Kentucky eateries like Claudia Sanders Dinner House, Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, and The Brown Hotel. 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, American Coney Island, and Frita Batidos.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Michigan

ComparisonKentuckyMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanCape Cod, Ranch
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, GaragesLake access, Energy efficiency
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • Michigan housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in Michigan is 10.79% more expensive than in Kentucky.

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

ComparisonKentuckyMichigan
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, Tornadoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F/66Β°F81Β°F/59Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44Β°F/27Β°F31Β°F/18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49"32.8"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)22"60.7"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kentucky to Michigan. Michigan gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 6 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 16.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Michigan

ComparisonKentuckyMichigan
Avg. Household Income$59,341$66,986
Cost of Living Index87.891.2
State Income Tax5%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%1.64%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareAutomotive, Healthcare, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyHigherLower
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 13% more than in Kentucky
  • The COLI in Michigan is 4% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 5% in KY
  • The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is lower in Michigan compared to higher in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Michigan

ComparisonKentuckyMichigan
Political Make-upTraditionally leans conservativeTends to be swing state with mix of conservative and liberal regions
Local PoliticsStrong grassroots movementsDiverse political engagement across regions
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ChristianModerately religious with diverse faith communities
  • Kentucky tends to lean traditionally conservative in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a mix of conservative and liberal regions
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as moderately religious with diverse faith communities
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Michigan

ComparisonKentuckyMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPikeville Elementary
Fort Thomas
Ashland
Bloomfield Hills
Okemos
East Grand Rapids
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBeechwood
Highlands
Fort Thomas
East Grand Rapids
Novi
Okemos
Top 3 High SchoolsDuPont Manual
Highlands
Beechwood
International Academy
Troy High
Okemos
Top 3 private high schoolsSt. Xavier
Sacred Heart Academy
Lexington Catholic
Cranbrook
Detroit Country Day
Greenhills
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Lexington School
Sayre
Louisville Collegiate
Roeper
Detroit Country Day
Cranbrook
Top 3 School DistrictsFort Thomas Independent
Beechwood Independent
Pikeville Independent
Okemos
East Grand Rapids
Bloomfield Hills

How Much Do Kentucky to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 554 miles from Kentucky to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,517300 ft3$5.06
1 Bedroom$2,252450 ft3$5.01
2 Bedrooms$3,716750 ft3$4.96
3 Bedrooms$5,3961100 ft3$4.91
4 Bedrooms$7,7681600 ft3$4.86
5+ Bedrooms$8,6491800 ft3$4.81

Top Kentucky to Michigan Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky 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 Kentucky to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Move Relocation Services featured image

Smooth Move Relocation Services

9.10/10
ExceptionalView details