Michigan to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 324 mile interstate move from Michigan to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Hoosier Pie
- Indiana housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Indiana is 6.97% more affordable than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Indiana movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Indiana
- Cold winters
- High taxes
- Traffic congestion
- Expensive housing
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Smoother traffic
- More affordable homes
- No Great Lakes
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited job options
- Fewer city amenities
- Great Lakes proximity
- Rich cultural scene
- Diverse job market
- Exciting urban areas
Pros of moving from Michigan to Indiana
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Indiana with lower taxes
- Swap the traffic congestion of Michigan for smoother traffic in Indiana
- Get ready for more affordable homes in Indiana
Cons of moving from Michigan to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Great Lakes proximity in Michigan to live with no Great Lakes in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse job market and get used to limited job options in Indiana
- Swap exciting urban areas for fewer city amenities
Michigan vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Hoosier Pie |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Sugar Cream Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Seitan Wings |
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 Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, Indiana residents know they have tasty Hoosier Pie and Sugar Cream Pie 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 Seitan Wings of Indiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and American Coney Island. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Loft Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Indiana
Comparison | Michigan | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside properties, Spacious yards | Historic properties, Affordability |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings, which commonly reference lakeside properties and spacious yards, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and affordability.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Indiana is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Indiana is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Indiana has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Indiana housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Indiana is 6.97% more affordable than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Indiana
Comparison | Michigan | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/58 | 85/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/17 | 35/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 42.2 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Indiana. Indiana gets 9% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Indiana 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 Indiana.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Indiana is 6 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Indiana. Indiana receives 9.4 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Indiana
Comparison | Michigan | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 3.23% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.71% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 0% less than in Michigan
- The COLI in Indiana will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in IN is 3.23% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Indiana is moderate compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is noticeable in Indiana compared to noticeable in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Michigan and moderate in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Indiana
Comparison | Michigan | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a slight Democratic lean in recent statewide elections | Conservative, reliably Republican in federal elections |
Local Politics | Varies significantly between urban and rural areas | Conservative, even in some urban areas |
Religion | Christian majority, with diverse religious communities across the state | Christian majority, predominantly Evangelical and Mainline Protestant |
- Michigan tends to lean mixed with a slight Democratic lean in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and reliably Republican in federal elections
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Evangelical and Mainline Protestant
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities across the state
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Indiana
Comparison | Michigan | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan State University East Lansing Wayne State University Detroit | Indiana University Bloomington Purdue University West Lafayette Ball State University Muncie |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Harlan Elementary Birmingham Bates Elementary Dexter Musson Elementary Rochester | Signature School Evansville Solon Robinson Elementary Crown Point Saint Thomas Aquinas School Indianapolis |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Boulan Park Middle School Troy Meads Mill Middle School Northville West Middle School Rochester Hills | Fall Creek Valley Middle School Indianapolis Brown County Junior High Nashville Honey Creek Middle School Terre Haute |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy Bloomfield Hills Troy High School Troy Northville High School Northville | Signature School Evansville Carmel High School Carmel West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School West Lafayette |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day Beverly Hills Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills Greenhills School Ann Arbor | Culver Academies Culver Park Tudor School Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School Bloomfield Hills Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills Greenhills School Ann Arbor | Park Tudor School Indianapolis Culver Academies Culver Heritage Christian School Indianapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Bloomfield Hills Troy School District Troy Rochester Schools Rochester Hills | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel West Lafayette Community School Corporation West Lafayette Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville |
How Much Do Michigan to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 324 miles from Michigan to Indiana will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- 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 | $1,386 | 300 ft3 | $4.62 |
1 Bedroom | $2,057 | 450 ft3 | $4.57 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,390 | 750 ft3 | $4.52 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,918 | 1100 ft3 | $4.47 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,073 | 1600 ft3 | $4.42 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,867 | 1800 ft3 | $4.37 |
Top Michigan to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.