Michigan to Georgia Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,049 mile interstate move from Michigan to Georgia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Georgia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Peach Cobbler), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Georgia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Peach Cobbler & Fried Chicken
- Georgia housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Georgia is 25.17% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Georgia will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Michigan to Georgia movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Georgia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Georgia
- Harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Limited job market
- Fewer warm beaches
- Mild winters
- Affordable housing
- Growing job opportunities
- Access to Atlantic beaches
- Hot, humid summers
- Less freshwater access
- Less industrial heritage
- Different culinary options
- Four distinct seasons
- Scenic Great Lakes
- Rich automotive history
- Familiar regional cuisine
Pros of moving from Michigan to Georgia
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Georgia with affordable housing
- Swap the limited job market of Michigan for growing job opportunities in Georgia
- Get ready for access to Atlantic beaches in Georgia
Cons of moving from Michigan to Georgia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four distinct seasons in Michigan to live with hot, humid summers in Georgia
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic Great Lakes and have to settle for the con of less freshwater access
- Time to bid farewell to rich automotive history and get used to less industrial heritage in Georgia
- Swap familiar regional cuisine for different culinary options
Michigan vs. Georgia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Peach Cobbler |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Collard Greens |
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 Georgia, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Peach Cobbler of Georgia. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, Georgia residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens of Georgia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like American Coney Island, Slows Bar BQ, and Zingermanβs Delicatessen. After the boxes are unpacked in Georgia, don't wait too long before making your way to Georgia's acclaimed eateries like The Varsity, The Fox Theatre, and Mary Macβs Tea Room.
When comparing lifestyles, Georgia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Georgia compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Georgia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Georgia
Comparison | Michigan | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside properties, Large yards | Historic homes, Modern interiors |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Georgia.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside properties and large yards, Georgia real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and modern interiors.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Georgia is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Georgia is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Georgia has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Georgia housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $327,174 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Georgia have increased by 64% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Georgia is 25.17% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Georgia
Comparison | Michigan | Georgia |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79Β°F / 59Β°F | 89Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 52Β°F / 34Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 50.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 0.7 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Georgia. Georgia gets 28% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Georgia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Georgia is 10 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Georgia. Georgia receives 17.9 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Georgia
Comparison | Michigan | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $72,837 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 93.35 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 1% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.31% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4% - 8% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Manufacturing, Health Care | Aerospace, Agriculture, Film Production |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Significant |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Georgia tend to earn about 9% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Georgia will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in GA is 1% - 5.75% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Georgia is moderate compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is significant in Georgia compared to noticeable in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and moderate in Georgia
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Georgia
Comparison | Michigan | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State, recently leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican strongholds | Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean Republican |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, Atlanta has diverse religious practices |
- Michigan tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Georgia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently leaning Democratic
- Georgia's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Georgia
Comparison | Michigan | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Nova Classical Academy (Brighton) International Academy (Flint) Conner Creek Academy East (Roseville) | Brandon Elementary School (Atlanta) Heards Ferry Elementary School (Sandy Springs) Lake Windward Elementary School (Alpharetta) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bates Academy (Detroit) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) Hillside Middle School (Northville) | Paideia School (Atlanta) Webb Bridge Middle School (Alpharetta) Riverwatch Middle School (Suwanee) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Novi High School (Novi) | Northview High School (Johns Creek) Walton High School (Marietta) Lambert High School (Suwanee) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) The Lovett School (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) | Pace Academy (Atlanta) The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Atlanta International School (Atlanta) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Troy School District Novi Community School District | Fulton County Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools Cobb County School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Georgia Movers Cost?
Moving 1,049 miles from Michigan to Georgia will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,797 | 300 ft3 | $5.99 |
1 Bedroom | $2,673 | 450 ft3 | $5.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,418 | 750 ft3 | $5.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,425 | 1100 ft3 | $5.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,265 | 1600 ft3 | $5.79 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,333 | 1800 ft3 | $5.74 |
Top Michigan to Georgia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Georgia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.