Michigan to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

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
Comparison | Michigan | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cherry Pie | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Pasties | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | BBQ Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Ratatouille | Vegetable Jambalaya |
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 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
Comparison | Michigan | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Lakehouse/Craftsman | Colonial/Traditional |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Hardwood floors | Spacious 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 Michiganβs $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
Comparison | Michigan | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79Β°F / 58Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 50.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 5 |
- 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
Comparison | Michigan | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.25 | 5.5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.62 | 0.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6 | 6.5 |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Education, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Michigan | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers with conservative rural areas | Conservatively inclined throughout, with some liberal pockets |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic, large unaffiliated group | Primarily 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
Comparison | Michigan | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Nova 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 Schools | West 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 Schools | International 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 schools | Detroit 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 schools | Roeper 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 Districts | Bloomfield 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 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 | $4,132 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,005 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,654 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,646 | 1800 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.