Michigan to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 1,068 mile interstate move from Michigan to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Chicken Fried Steak), 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 Chicken Fried Steak & BBQ Brisket
- Oklahoma housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Oklahoma is 12.45% more affordable than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Oklahoma will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Michigan to Oklahoma movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Oklahoma
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Industrial environment
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Scenic landscapes
- No Great Lakes
- Less foliage diversity
- More rural areas
- Lake access
- Fall colors
- Urban lifestyle
Pros of moving from Michigan to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Oklahoma with lower taxes
- Swap the industrial environment of Michigan for scenic landscapes in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from Michigan to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lake access in Michigan to live with no Great Lakes in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of fall colors and have to settle for the con of less foliage diversity
- Time to bid farewell to the urban lifestyle and get used to more rural areas in Oklahoma
Michigan vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dogs | Fried Onion Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pasties | Tex-Mex inspired Vegan Dishes |
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dogs, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty BBQ Brisket and Fried Onion Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pasties they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tex-Mex inspired Vegan Dishes of Oklahoma. 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 Selden Standard. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Cafe Kacao, and Eischen's Bar.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Oklahoma compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Oklahoma
Comparison | Michigan | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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 views, large backyards | Open floor plans, storm shelters |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and large backyards, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like open floor plans and storm shelters.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oklahoma is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Oklahoma is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Oklahoma has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 12.45% more affordable than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Oklahoma
Comparison | Michigan | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Ice Storms | Tornadoes, Hail |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/58 | 93/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/17 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 36.5 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 9.6 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 35% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Oklahoma has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and ice storms in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail in Oklahoma.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 14 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 Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 3.7 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Oklahoma
Comparison | Michigan | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 4.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 4.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Agriculture, Energy, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 11% less than in Michigan
- The COLI in Oklahoma will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in OK is 4.75% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Oklahoma is low compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
- The poverty level is moderate in Oklahoma compared to moderate poverty in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Michigan and low in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | Michigan | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal & rural conservative areas | Mostly conservative, even in urban areas |
Religion | Christian majority, with a diverse religious landscape | Evangelical Protestant majority, with lesser diversity |
- Michigan tends to lean moderately Democratic in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as an evangelical Protestant majority with lesser diversity
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a diverse religious landscape
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Oklahoma
Comparison | Michigan | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Harlan Elementary Bloomfield Hills; Bingham Farms Elementary Bingham Farms; Bates Elementary Dexter | Chisholm Elementary Edmond; Russell Dougherty Elementary Edmond; Northern Hills Elementary Edmond |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Middle School Rochester Hills; Boulan Park Middle School Troy; East Middle School Grand Blanc | Whittier Middle School Norman; Central Middle School Edmond; Sequoyah Middle School Edmond |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy Bloomfield Hills; Troy High School Troy; Rochester Adams High School Rochester Hills | Edmond North High School Edmond; Norman North High School Norman; Jenks High School Jenks |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills; Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills; Greenhills School Ann Arbor | Cascia Hall Preparatory School Tulsa; Heritage Hall Oklahoma City; Bishop Kelley High School Tulsa |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School Bloomfield Hills; Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills; Detroit Country Day School Beverly Hills | Heritage Hall Oklahoma City; Cascia Hall Preparatory School Tulsa; Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Oklahoma City |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools; Troy School District; Rochester Community Schools | Edmond Public Schools; Norman Public Schools; Jenks Public Schools |
How Much Do Michigan to Oklahoma Movers Cost?
Moving 1,068 miles from Michigan to Oklahoma 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 | $1,808 | 300 ft3 | $6.03 |
1 Bedroom | $2,689 | 450 ft3 | $5.98 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,445 | 750 ft3 | $5.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,464 | 1100 ft3 | $5.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,322 | 1600 ft3 | $5.83 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,398 | 1800 ft3 | $5.78 |
Top Michigan to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.