Michigan to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 850 mile interstate move from Michigan to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Detroit-style pizza vs Eastern North Carolina barbecue), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Detroit-style pizza and Pasties, but get your taste buds ready for Eastern North Carolina barbecue & Pulled pork
- North Carolina housing costs are 37% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in North Carolina is 19.42% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to North Carolina movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to North Carolina
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Declining industry
- Limited beaches
- Dense urban areas
- Mild climate
- Lower taxes
- Economic growth
- Beautiful coastlines
- More open spaces
- Hurricane risk
- Fewer cultural centers
- Fewer large parks
- Less industry diversity
- Rising prices
- Great Lakes
- Vibrant arts scene
- Cheyboygan State Park
- Rich automotive history
- Affordable housing
Pros of moving from Michigan to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to North Carolina with lower taxes
- Swap the declining industry of Michigan for economic growth in North Carolina
- Get ready for beautiful coastlines in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Michigan to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the Great Lakes in Michigan to live with hurricane risk in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant arts scene and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural centers
- Time to bid farewell to Cheboygan State Park and get used to fewer large parks in North Carolina
- Swap rich automotive history for less industry diversity
Michigan vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Detroit-style pizza | Eastern North Carolina barbecue |
Most popular meat dish | Pasties | Pulled pork |
Most popular street food item | Coney dog | Barbecue ribs |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh reuben | Smoked jackfruit |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Detroit-style pizza of Michigan for the equally delicious Eastern North Carolina barbecue of North Carolina. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful pasties and sumptuous Coney dog, North Carolina residents know they have tasty pulled pork and barbecue ribs 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 smoked jackfruit of North Carolina. 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 Supino Pizzeria. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Skylight Inn BBQ, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Lantern Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and North Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, large yards | Community amenities, proximity to technology hubs |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and large yards, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like community amenities and proximity to technology hubs.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- North Carolina housing costs are 37% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased 63% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in North Carolina is 19.42% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and North Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79Β°F / 58Β°F | 88Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8" | 50.3" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.7" | 4.6" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 25% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 9 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 17.5 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and North Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.75% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Technology, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 1% more than those in Michigan
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to moderate in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Michigan and low in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, recent leans Democratic | Swing state, with a slight lean towards Republican |
Local Politics | Democratic cities, Republican rural areas | Democratic urban areas, Republican dominance in rural and suburban areas |
Religion | Christian predominance, diverse religious communities | Strongly Christian, with Evangelical Protestant majority |
- Michigan tends to lean as a swing state and recently has leaned Democratic in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a slight lean towards Republican
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as strongly Christian with an Evangelical Protestant majority
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian predominance and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to North Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of North Carolina North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Musson Elementary (Rochester Hills) Spring Mills Elementary (Highland) | Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) Glenwood Elementary (Chapel Hill) Davis Drive Elementary (Cary) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stevenson Middle (Westland) Boulan Park Middle (Troy) West Middle (Plymouth) | Ligon Middle (Raleigh) Carnage Middle (Raleigh) Community House Middle (Charlotte) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Northville High School (Northville) | Green Hope High (Cary) Ardrey Kell High (Charlotte) Raleigh Charter High (Raleigh) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Charlotte Country Day (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) | Cary Academy (Cary) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Okemos Public Schools Troy School District | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Michigan to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 850 miles from Michigan to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- 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 | $1,684 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,504 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,136 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,011 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,663 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,656 | 1800 ft3 | $5.36 |
Top Michigan to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for Michigan to North Carolina