Michigan to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,783 mile interstate move from Michigan to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Coney Dog vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Coney Dog and Pasties, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Idaho is 11.37% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Idaho will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Idaho movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Idaho
- Harsh winters
- City congestion
- High property taxes
- Industrial areas
- Milder winters
- Less crowded cities
- Lower property taxes
- Scenic landscapes
- Quieter evenings
- Fewer job options
- Fewer museums
- Fewer water activities
- Vibrant nightlife
- Diverse job market
- Cultural attractions
- Great Lakes access
Pros of moving from Michigan to Idaho
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from city congestion and moving to Idaho with less crowded cities
- Swap the high property taxes of Michigan for lower property taxes in Idaho
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in Idaho
Cons of moving from Michigan to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in Michigan to live with quieter evenings in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle with the con of fewer job options
- Time to bid farewell to cultural attractions and get used to fewer museums in Idaho
- Swap Great Lakes access for fewer water activities
Michigan vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Coney Dog | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Pasties | Trout |
Most popular street food item | Faygo Pop | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Lentil 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 Michigan to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Coney Dog of Michigan for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Pasties and sumptuous Faygo Pop, Idaho residents know they have tasty Trout and Finger Steaks 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 Lentil Burger of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slow's Bar BQ, Zingerman's Deli, and Bell's Eccentric Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, Fork, and Westside Drive-In.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Idaho
Comparison | Michigan | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Large yards | Mountain views, Outdoor activities |
- The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and large yards, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor activities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Idaho is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Idaho housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Idaho is 11.37% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Idaho
Comparison | Michigan | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, Ice Storms | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Good to Moderate) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F/61Β°F | 85Β°F/53Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F/17Β°F | 36Β°F/19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8" | 18.9" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66" | 19.2" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Idaho. Idaho gets 21% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and ice storms in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- Get ready for warmer summers as the average summer high temperature in Idaho is 4 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho as Idaho receives 13.9 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Idaho
Comparison | Michigan | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | up to 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Health Care, Agriculture | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Comfortable |
Poverty | High | Medium |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 9% more than those in Michigan
- The COLI in Idaho is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in ID is up to 6.5% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Idaho is comfortable compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is medium in Idaho compared to high in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Idaho
Comparison | Michigan | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Democratic | Conservative; leans Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region. More liberal in places like Ann Arbor. | Generally conservative, particularly in rural areas and the capital, Boise. |
Religion | Diverse, with Christianity being predominant | Primarily Christian, with a significant presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
- Michigan tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and leans Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with Christianity being predominant
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Idaho
Comparison | Michigan | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Nova Classical Academy City Middle/High School Haisley Elementary School | Anser Charter School Cecil D Andrus Elementary School Galileo Math & Science Magnet |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Canton Charter Academy East Middle School West Middle School | North Star Charter School Heritage Middle School Victory Middle School |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy City High Middle School Troy High School | Boise High School Coeur d'Alene High School Renaissance High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Roeper School Cranbrook Schools Detroit Country Day School | Bishop Kelly High School The Ambrose School Riverstone International School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greenhills School Detroit Country Day School Cranbrook Schools | Riverstone International School The Ambrose School Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy |
Top 3 School Districts | Novi Community School District Troy School District Birmingham Public Schools | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 1,783 miles from Michigan to Idaho will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,213 | 300 ft3 | $7.38 |
1 Bedroom | $3,297 | 450 ft3 | $7.33 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,458 | 750 ft3 | $7.28 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,950 | 1100 ft3 | $7.23 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,484 | 1600 ft3 | $7.18 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,830 | 1800 ft3 | $7.13 |
Top Michigan to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.