Movers

Michigan to Arkansas Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 847 mile interstate move from Michigan to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Cherry Pie vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (lakehouse/craftsman vs colonial/traditional), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Cherry Pie and Pasties, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & BBQ Ribs
  • Arkansas housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Michigan
  • Rent in Arkansas is 9.27% more affordable than in Michigan
  • Moving from Michigan to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Michigan to Arkansas movers is Pro-Low Moving

Michigan vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMichiganArkansas
Most iconic local food itemCherry PieFried Catfish
Most popular meat dishPastiesBBQ Ribs
Most popular street food itemConey DogBBQ Nachos
Most popular vegan foodRatatouilleVegetable Jambalaya
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Zingerman's Deli
    • Slows Bar BQ
    • Cliff Bell's
    • McClard's Bar-B-Q
    • Sim's Bar-B-Que
    • The Southern Belle
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 Michigan to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Cherry Pie of Michigan for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Pasties and sumptuous Coney Dog, Arkansas residents know they have tasty BBQ Ribs and BBQ Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Ratatouille they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Jambalaya of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Deli, Slows Bar BQ, and Cliff Bell's. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Sim's Bar-B-Que, and The Southern Belle.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Arkansas

ComparisonMichiganArkansas
Typical Architecture StyleLakehouse/CraftsmanColonial/Traditional
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 listingLake access, Hardwood floorsSpacious yards, Energy efficiency
  • The Lakehouse/Craftsman architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Colonial/Traditional architecture typical of Arkansas.
  • Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and hardwood floors, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and energy efficiency.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Arkansas is less walkable than Michigan.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
  • Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
  • Arkansas housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Michigan’s $239,770.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
  • Rent in Arkansas is 9.27% more affordable than in Michigan.

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

ComparisonMichiganArkansas
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 DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)79Β°F / 58Β°F92Β°F / 72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 17Β°F51Β°F / 32Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.850.6
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.665
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 28% more sunshine days than Michigan.
  • Arkansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 13 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
  • The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 17.8 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Arkansas

ComparisonMichiganArkansas
Avg. Household Income$66,986$55,432
Cost of Living Index91.290.5
State Income Tax4.255.5
Avg. Property Tax1.620.63
Avg. Sales Tax66.5
Top 3 IndustriesAutomotive, Agriculture, ManufacturingAgriculture, Education, Retail
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyLowHigh
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 17% less than those in Michigan
  • The COLI in Arkansas is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Michigan
  • The state income tax in AR is 5.5 compared to 4.25 in MI
  • The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
  • The poverty level is high in Arkansas compared to low poverty in Michigan
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and low in Arkansas

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Arkansas

ComparisonMichiganArkansas
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticLeans Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal urban centers with conservative rural areasConservatively inclined throughout, with some liberal pockets
ReligionProtestant, Catholic, large unaffiliated groupPrimarily Protestant with a significant Baptist presence
  • Michigan tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
  • Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a significant Baptist presence
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant, Catholic, and a large unaffiliated group

Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Arkansas

ComparisonMichiganArkansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsNova Classical Academy - Brighton
Bates Elementary - Dexter
Musson Elementary - Rochester
Vandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville
Baker Interdistrict Elementary - Little Rock
Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Middle School - Rochester
East Middle School - Farmington Hills
Boulan Park Middle School - Troy
Lisa Academy West Middle - Little Rock
McNair Middle School - Fayetteville
LISA Academy North Middle - Sherwood
Top 3 High School SchoolsInternational Academy - Bloomfield Hills
Troy High School - Troy
Northville High School - Northville
Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville
Bentonville High School - Bentonville
Fayetteville High School - Fayetteville
Top 3 private high schoolsDetroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills
Greenhills School - Ann Arbor
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Pulaski Academy - Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School - Springdale
Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRoeper School - Bloomfield Hills
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills
Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School - Springdale
The Anthony School - Little Rock
Top 3 School DistrictsBloomfield Hills Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Novi Community School District
Bentonville School District
Fayetteville Public Schools
Rogers School District

How Much Do Michigan to Arkansas Movers Cost?

Moving 847 miles from Michigan to Arkansas 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$4,132750 ft3$5.51
3 Bedrooms$6,0051100 ft3$5.46
4 Bedrooms$8,6541600 ft3$5.41
5+ Bedrooms$9,6461800 ft3$5.36

Top Michigan to Arkansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Michigan to Arkansas

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 Michigan to Arkansas Routes

Detroit to Arkansas

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