Movers

Michigan to Minnesota Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 607 mile interstate move from Michigan to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs less humidity), food & health (like Pasties vs Walleye), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs prairie, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pasties and Coney Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Walleye & Hotdish
  • Minnesota housing costs are 38% more expensive than they are in Michigan
  • Rent in Minnesota is 14.88% more expensive than in Michigan
  • Moving from Michigan to Minnesota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Michigan to Minnesota movers is Pro-Low Moving

Michigan to Minnesota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Minnesota

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh winters
  • High state taxes
  • Lack of public transit
  • Few job opportunities
ProsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Less humidity
  • Lower property taxes
  • Better public transit
  • Robust job market

Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Higher cost of living
  • Fewer lakes and shores
  • Less automotive presence
  • Shorter fall season
Michigan iconMichigan
  • Strong education system
  • Beautiful Great Lakes
  • Rich automotive history
  • Vibrant fall colors

Pros of moving from Michigan to Minnesota

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to less humidity
  • Look forward to moving away from high state taxes and moving to Minnesota with lower property taxes
  • Swap the lack of public transit of Michigan for better public transit in Minnesota
  • Get ready for a robust job market in Minnesota

Cons of moving from Michigan to Minnesota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a strong education system in Michigan to live with a higher cost of living in Minnesota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful Great Lakes and have to settle with the con of fewer lakes and shores
  • Time to bid farewell to rich automotive history and get used to a less automotive presence in Minnesota
  • Swap vibrant fall colors for a shorter fall season

Michigan vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMichiganMinnesota
Most iconic local food itemPastiesWalleye
Most popular meat dishConey DogHotdish
Most popular street food itemFood TrucksJuicy Lucy Burger
Most popular vegan foodTempeh ReubenWild Rice Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Selden Standard
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Matt's Bar
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Alma
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Walleye of Minnesota. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Coney Dog and sumptuous Food Trucks, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Hotdish and Juicy Lucy Burger 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 Wild Rice Burger of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Selden Standard, Slows Bar BQ, and Zingerman's Delicatessen. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Alma.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Minnesota

ComparisonMichiganMinnesota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchPrairie, Craftsman
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 listingLakeshore, WoodsLake view, Eco-friendly features
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
  • Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeshores and woods, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lake views and eco-friendly features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Michigan.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
  • Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
  • Minnesota housing costs are 38% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Michigan's $239,770.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
  • Rent in Minnesota is 14.88% more expensive than in Michigan.

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

ComparisonMichiganMinnesota
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, TornadoesBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)79/5883/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1723/7
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.830.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)6054
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 16% more sunshine days than Michigan.
  • Minnesota 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 blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 4 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
  • The average winter lows in Minnesota are 10 degrees colder than they are in Michigan.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 2.6 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Minnesota

ComparisonMichiganMinnesota
Avg. Household Income$66,986$82,338
Cost of Living Index91.298.75
State Income Tax4.25%5.35% - 9.85%
Avg. Property Tax1.64%1.08%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%6.88%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Automotive, AgricultureHealthcare, Retail, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate to High
PovertyModerateLow to Moderate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 23% more than those in Michigan
  • The COLI in Minnesota is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
  • The state income tax in MN is 5.35% to 9.85% compared to 4.25% in MI
  • The affluence in Minnesota is moderate to high compared to moderate in Michigan
  • The poverty level is low to moderate in Minnesota compared to moderate in Michigan
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and low in Minnesota

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Minnesota

ComparisonMichiganMinnesota
Political Make-upModerately DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsMixed urban and rural supportUrban areas lean liberal, rural areas more conservative
ReligionChristian majority, diverse religious communitiesChristian majority, strong Lutheran presence
  • Michigan tends to lean moderately Democratic in its political climate
  • Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Minnesota's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a strong Lutheran presence
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Minnesota

ComparisonMichiganMinnesota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University
University of St. Thomas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBates Elementary (Dexter)
Meadow Ridge Elementary (Grand Rapids)
Musson Elementary (Rochester)
Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka)
Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth)
Hale Elementary (Minneapolis)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEast Middle School (Farmington Hills)
Mill Creek Middle School (Dexter)
Northern Hills Middle School (Grand Rapids)
Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth)
Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka)
Eden Prairie Central Middle School (Eden Prairie)
Top 3 High School SchoolsInternational Academy (Bloomfield Hills)
Troy High School (Troy)
Grand Rapids City High Middle School (Grand Rapids)
Edina High School (Edina)
Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka)
Wayzata High School (Plymouth)
Top 3 private high schoolsDetroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
Breck School (Minneapolis)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRoeper School (Bloomfield Hills)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Breck School (Minneapolis)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
Top 3 School DistrictsOkemos Public Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Novi Community School District
Minnetonka Public School District
Edina Public Schools
Wayzata Public School District

How Much Do Michigan to Minnesota Movers Cost?

Moving 607 miles from Michigan to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 5-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,547300 ft3$5.16
1 Bedroom$2,297450 ft3$5.11
2 Bedrooms$3,792750 ft3$5.06
3 Bedrooms$5,5061100 ft3$5.01
4 Bedrooms$7,9291600 ft3$4.96
5+ Bedrooms$8,8301800 ft3$4.91

Top Michigan to Minnesota Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Minnesota 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 Minnesota

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
General Expert Moving Service LLC featured image

General Expert Moving Service LLC

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details