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Michigan to Texas Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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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

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh winters
  • High state taxes
  • Limited job growth
  • Expensive utilities
ProsTexas iconTexas
  • Mild winters
  • No state income tax
  • Robust job market
  • Lower utility costs

Texas iconTexas
  • Water scarcity
  • Less seasonal change
  • Limited fishing options
  • Further from international borders
Michigan iconMichigan
  • 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

ComparisonMichiganTexas
Most iconic local food itemMichigan PastiesTexas BBQ Brisket
Most popular meat dishDetroit-style Coney DogSmoked Beef Ribs
Most popular street food itemFried Fish ConesBreakfast Tacos
Most popular vegan foodTempeh ReubensVegan Tex-Mex
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Slater's 50/50
  • Zingerman's Deli
  • Cliff Bell's
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMichiganTexas
Typical Architecture StyleBungalow, RanchSpanish, Ranch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLake proximity, Green spacesEnergy 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 Michigan’s $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

ComparisonMichiganTexas
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 59Β°F94Β°F / 73Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 18Β°F60Β°F / 38Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.836.0
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.661.3
  • 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

ComparisonMichiganTexas
Avg. Household Income$66,986$72,284
Cost of Living Index91.291.1
State Income Tax4.25%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.54%1.80%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%8.25%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AutoOil, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateDiverse
PovertyStableVariable
HomelessnessManageableChallenging
  • 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

ComparisonMichiganTexas
Political Make-upSwing state, leaning towards DemocraticTraditionally Republican, but becoming more competitive
Local PoliticsVaries by region; urban areas tend to be more liberalUrban areas lean liberal, rural areas are more conservative
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities presentChristianity 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

ComparisonMichiganTexas
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 SchoolsWinchester 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 SchoolsBoulan 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 SchoolsInternational 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 schoolsDetroit 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 schoolsRoeper 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 DistrictsTroy 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,984300 ft3$6.61
1 Bedroom$2,953450 ft3$6.56
2 Bedrooms$4,884750 ft3$6.51
3 Bedrooms$7,1091100 ft3$6.46
4 Bedrooms$10,2601600 ft3$6.41
5+ Bedrooms$11,4521800 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.

TOP PICK
Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery featured image

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery

Best moving company overall for Michigan to Texas

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC featured image

New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details