Michigan to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,357 mile interstate move from Michigan to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs rustic, mountain modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Burger
- Montana housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Montana is 2.84% more affordable than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Montana movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Montana
- Harsh winters
- High population density
- Traffic congestion
- Mild winters
- Lower population density
- Less traffic
- No large lakes
- Fewer job opportunities
- Fewer cultural events
- Great Lakes access
- Diverse industries
- Cultural amenities
Pros of moving from Michigan to Montana
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high population density and moving to Montana with lower population density
- Swap the traffic congestion of Michigan for less traffic in Montana
Cons of moving from Michigan to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great lakes access in Michigan to live with no large lakes in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse industries and have to settle for the con of fewer job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to cultural amenities and get used to fewer cultural events in Montana
Michigan vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Bison Burger |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Elk Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reubens | Quinoa Salad |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Burger and Elk Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reubens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Deli, Slows Bar BQ, and Bell's Eccentric CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Loula's Cafe, The Uptown Diner, and Biga Pizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana, compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Montana
Comparison | Michigan | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Rustic, Mountain Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeshore, Garage | Mountain views, Acreage |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Mountain Modern architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeshore and garages, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and acreage.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Michigan.
- Montana is similarly bike-friendly to Michigan.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Montana housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Montana is 2.84% more affordable than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Montana
Comparison | Michigan | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Good to Moderate) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 59Β°F | 84Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 34Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 15.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 86.5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Montana. Montana gets 21% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Montana 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 wildfires and flooding in Montana.
- The average summer high temperature in Montana is 3 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows in Montana are 4 degrees colder than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 17.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Montana
Comparison | Michigan | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0β6.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.45% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Agriculture, Tourism | Mining, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Slight |
Homelessness | Notable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 1% more than those in Michigan
- The COLI in Montana is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in MT is 0β6.65% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Montana is modest compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
- The poverty level is slight in Montana compared to moderate poverty in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in Michigan and low in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Montana
Comparison | Michigan | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, leans slightly Democratic | Lean Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Divided: Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean Republican | Mostly Republican, but with a significant independent streak |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Primarily Christian, lower overall religious affiliation compared to national average |
- Michigan tends to lean swing state and slightly Democratic in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Conservative/Republican
- Montana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with lower overall religious affiliation compared to the national average
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Montana
Comparison | Michigan | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | Montana State University University of Montana Montana Tech |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Musson Elementary (Rochester) Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids) | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) Meadowlark Elementary (Billings) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Middle School (Plymouth) East Middle School (Farmington Hills) Northern Hills Middle School (Grand Rapids) | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) Washington Middle School (Missoula) Lewis & Clark Middle School (Billings) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) City Middle/High School (Grand Rapids) Troy High School (Troy) | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Billings Senior High (Billings) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls) Missoula Catholic Schools (Missoula) Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Foothills Community Christian School (Great Falls) |
Top 3 School Districts | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Troy School District | Bozeman Public Schools Billings Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools |
How Much Do Michigan to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,357 miles from Michigan to Montana will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,972 | 300 ft3 | $6.57 |
1 Bedroom | $2,935 | 450 ft3 | $6.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,855 | 750 ft3 | $6.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,065 | 1100 ft3 | $6.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,196 | 1600 ft3 | $6.37 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,381 | 1800 ft3 | $6.32 |
Top Michigan to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.