Michigan to Texas Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,378 mile interstate move from Michigan to Texas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Texas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Michigan Pasties vs Texas BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (bungalow, ranch vs spanish, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Texas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Michigan Pasties and Detroit-style Coney Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Texas BBQ Brisket & Smoked Beef Ribs
- Texas housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Texas is 16.71% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Texas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Texas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Michigan to Texas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Texas
- Harsh winters
- High state taxes
- Limited job growth
- Expensive utilities
- Mild winters
- No state income tax
- Robust job market
- Lower utility costs
- Water scarcity
- Less seasonal change
- Limited fishing options
- Further from international borders
- Abundant water bodies
- Beautiful fall foliage
- Freshwater fishing
- Proximity to Canada
Pros of moving from Michigan to Texas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high state taxes and moving to Texas with no state income tax
- Swap the limited job growth of Michigan for a robust job market in Texas
- Get ready for lower utility costs in Texas
Cons of moving from Michigan to Texas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from abundant water bodies in Michigan to live with water scarcity in Texas
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful fall foliage and have to settle for the con of less seasonal change
- Time to bid farewell to freshwater fishing and get used to limited fishing options in Texas
- Swap proximity to Canada for being further from international borders
Michigan vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Texas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Michigan Pasties | Texas BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Coney Dog | Smoked Beef Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Fried Fish Cones | Breakfast Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reubens | Vegan Tex-Mex |
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 Texas, you will be trading the iconic Michigan Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Texas BBQ Brisket of Texas. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Coney Dog and sumptuous Fried Fish Cones, Texas residents know they have tasty Smoked Beef Ribs and Breakfast Tacos 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 Vegan Tex-Mex of Texas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slater's 50/50, Zingerman's Deli, and Cliff Bell's. After the boxes are unpacked in Texas, don't wait too long before making your way to Texas's acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Torchy's Tacos, and Kemuri Tatsu-ya.
When comparing lifestyles, Texas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Texas compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Texas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Texas
Comparison | Michigan | Texas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Bungalow, Ranch | Spanish, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake proximity, Green spaces | Energy efficiency, Spacious yards |
- The Bungalow and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Ranch architecture typical of Texas.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings, which commonly reference lake proximity and green spaces, Texas real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Texas is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Texas is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Texas has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Texas housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $304,027 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Texas have increased by 45% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Texas is 16.71% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Texas
Comparison | Michigan | Texas |
---|---|---|
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 | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 59Β°F | 94Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 18Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 36.0 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 1.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Texas. Texas gets 38% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Texas 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 Texas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Texas is 14 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Texas. Texas receives 3.2 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Texas
Comparison | Michigan | Texas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $72,284 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 91.1 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 1.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 8.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Auto | Oil, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Diverse |
Poverty | Stable | Variable |
Homelessness | Manageable | Challenging |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Texas tend to earn about 8% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Texas is 0% lower than what you are used to living in Michigan
- Hooray, moving to TX means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Texas is diverse compared to moderate affluence in Michigan
- The poverty level is variable in Texas compared to stable poverty level in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Michigan and challenging in Texas
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Texas
Comparison | Michigan | Texas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, leaning towards Democratic | Traditionally Republican, but becoming more competitive |
Local Politics | Varies by region; urban areas tend to be more liberal | Urban areas lean liberal, rural areas are more conservative |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities present | Christianity predominant, with a significant Catholic population |
- Michigan tends to lean swing state, leaning towards Democratic in its political climate
- Texas, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally Republican but becoming more competitive
- Texas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a significant Catholic population
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities present
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Texas
Comparison | Michigan | Texas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Winchester Elementary - Northville Bates Elementary - Dexter Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids | Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences - Fort Worth School of Science and Engineering - Dallas Carnegie Vanguard High School - Houston |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Boulan Park Middle School - Troy West Middle School - Rochester Meads Mill Middle School - Northville | Young Women's Leadership Academy - San Antonio Fort Settlement Middle School - Sugar Land Frankford Middle School - Dallas |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy - Bloomfield Hills Rochester Adams High School - Rochester Hills Troy High School - Troy | Liberal Arts and Science Academy - Austin School for the Talented and Gifted - Dallas School of Science and Engineering - Dallas |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills Greenhills School - Ann Arbor Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills | The Hockaday School - Dallas St. Mark's School of Texas - Dallas Strake Jesuit College Preparatory - Houston |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School - Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills | Greenhill School - Addison The John Cooper School - The Woodlands Awty International School - Houston |
Top 3 School Districts | Troy School District Ann Arbor Public Schools Northville Public Schools | Eanes Independent School District Carroll Independent School District Coppell Independent School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Texas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,378 miles from Michigan to Texas 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: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,984 | 300 ft3 | $6.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,953 | 450 ft3 | $6.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,884 | 750 ft3 | $6.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,109 | 1100 ft3 | $6.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,260 | 1600 ft3 | $6.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,452 | 1800 ft3 | $6.36 |
Top Michigan to Texas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Texas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Michigan to Texas
Detroit to Texas
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- Detroit to Irving
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