Michigan to Mississippi Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 986 mile interstate move from Michigan to Mississippi? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Mississippi across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Catfish), real estate & housing (lakefront cottages, colonial vs antebellum, ranch-style), 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 Catfish & Barbecue ribs
- Mississippi housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Mississippi is 5.62% more affordable than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Mississippi will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Michigan to Mississippi movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Mississippi Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Mississippi
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Urban congestion
- Heavy traffic
- Mild winters
- Lower cost of living
- Rural tranquility
- Less traffic
- Fewer job opportunities
- Variable school quality
- Limited nightlife
- Less tech presence
- Robust job market
- Great school systems
- Bustling urban life
- Vibrant tech scene
Pros of moving from Michigan to Mississippi
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Mississippi with a lower cost of living
- Swap the urban congestion of Michigan for rural tranquility in Mississippi
- Get ready for less traffic in Mississippi
Cons of moving from Michigan to Mississippi
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a robust job market in Michigan to live with fewer job opportunities in Mississippi
- You'll lose out on the pro of great school systems and have to settle for the con of variable school quality
- Time to bid farewell to bustling urban life and get used to limited nightlife in Mississippi
- Swap a vibrant tech scene for less tech presence
Michigan vs. Mississippi: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style pizza | Barbecue ribs |
Most popular street food item | Hot dogs | Po'boys |
Most popular vegan food | Falafel | Okra stew |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Mississippi, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Catfish of Mississippi. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style pizza and sumptuous Hot dogs, Mississippi residents know they have tasty Barbecue ribs and Po'boys to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Falafel they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra stew of Mississippi. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Buddy's Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in Mississippi, don't wait too long before making your way to Mississippi's acclaimed eateries like Mayflower Cafe, Doe's Eat Place, and City Grocery.
When comparing lifestyles, Mississippi shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Mississippi compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Mississippi.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Mississippi
Comparison | Michigan | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Lakefront cottages, Colonial | Antebellum, Ranch-style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Proximity to nature | Historical significance, Large plots |
- The Lakefront cottages and Colonial architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Ranch-style architecture typical of Mississippi.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and proximity to nature, Mississippi real estate listings often highlight features like historical significance and large plots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Mississippi is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Mississippi is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Mississippi has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Mississippi housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $178,490 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Mississippi have increased by 31% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Mississippi is 5.62% more affordable than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Mississippi
Comparison | Michigan | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
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, Tornados | Hurricanes, Tornados |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79Β°F / 58Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 55Β°F / 34Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 59.0 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 1.0 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Mississippi. Mississippi gets 24% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Mississippi has higher 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Mississippi is 12 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 Mississippi. Mississippi receives 26.2 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Mississippi
Comparison | Michigan | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $52,719 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 92.1 |
State Income Tax | 4.25 | 5.00 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.71 | 0.81 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00 | 7.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Mississippi tend to earn about 21% less than in Michigan
- The COLI in Mississippi will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in MS is 5.00 compared to 4.25 in MI
- The affluence in Mississippi is modest compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
- The poverty level is high in Mississippi compared to moderate poverty in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Michigan and concerning in Mississippi
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Mississippi
Comparison | Michigan | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leaning Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Large cities tend to be more liberal | Rural areas and small towns dominate, with conservative values |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with a notable presence of other faiths | Heavily Christian, particularly Evangelical |
- Michigan tends to lean mixed, leaning Democratic in its political climate
- Mississippi, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Mississippi's religious environment can be described as heavily Christian, particularly Evangelical
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a notable presence of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Mississippi
Comparison | Michigan | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Nova Classical Academy (Brighton) Okemos Public Montessori (Okemos) Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change (Muskegon) | Madison Station Elementary (Madison) Oak Park Elementary (Ocean Springs) Eastside Elementary (Clinton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | East Grand Rapids Middle School (East Grand Rapids) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) Warner Upper Elementary School (Farmington Hills) | Northwest Rankin Middle School (Flowood) Madison Middle School (Madison) Lewisburg Middle School (Olive Branch) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Okemos High School (Okemos) | Madison Central High School (Madison) Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs) Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Jackson Preparatory School (Flowood) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Birmingham) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) | Jackson Academy (Jackson) Jackson Preparatory School (Flowood) St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) |
Top 3 School Districts | Okemos Public Schools (Okemos) East Grand Rapids Public Schools (East Grand Rapids) Bloomfield Hills Schools (Bloomfield Hills) | Madison County Schools (Madison) Clinton Public School District (Clinton) Ocean Springs School District (Ocean Springs) |
How Much Do Michigan to Mississippi Movers Cost?
Moving 986 miles from Michigan to Mississippi 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,761 | 300 ft3 | $5.87 |
1 Bedroom | $2,620 | 450 ft3 | $5.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,329 | 750 ft3 | $5.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,294 | 1100 ft3 | $5.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,075 | 1600 ft3 | $5.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,119 | 1800 ft3 | $5.62 |
Top Michigan to Mississippi Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Mississippi movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.