Movers

Minnesota to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 12, 2025

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Planning a 605 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extremely cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Pasties), real estate & housing (modern farmhouse, craftsman vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Hotdish and Wild Rice Burger, but get your taste buds ready for Pasties & Detroit-style Coney Dog
  • Michigan housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
  • Rent in Michigan is 12.96% more affordable than in Minnesota
  • Moving from Minnesota to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Minnesota to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Minnesota to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Michigan

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Extremely cold winters
  • Rural isolation
  • Higher living costs
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Milder winters
  • Urban convenience
  • Lower housing prices

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Harsh lake-effect snow
  • Fewer top hospitals
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Vibrant Twin Cities
  • Access to the Great Lakes
  • Renowned healthcare

Pros of moving from Minnesota to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to extremely cold winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Michigan with urban convenience
  • Swap the higher living costs of Minnesota for lower housing prices in Michigan

Cons of moving from Minnesota to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant Twin Cities in Minnesota to live with less cultural diversity in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of access to the Great Lakes and have to settle for the con of harsh lake-effect snow
  • Time to bid farewell to renowned healthcare and get used to fewer top hospitals in Michigan

Minnesota vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMinnesotaMichigan
Most iconic local food itemHotdishPasties
Most popular meat dishWild Rice BurgerDetroit-style Coney Dog
Most popular street food itemCheese CurdsFaygo Pop
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlTofu Scramble
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Matt's Bar
  • The Bachelor Farmer
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Slow's Bar BQ
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Bell's Eccentric CafΓ©
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 Minnesota to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Pasties of Michigan. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Wild Rice Burger and sumptuous Cheese Curds, Michigan residents know they have tasty Detroit-style Coney Dog and Faygo Pop to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Scramble of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Bachelor Farmer, and Spoon and Stable. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Slow's Bar BQ, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Bell's Eccentric CafΓ©.

When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Michigan.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Michigan

ComparisonMinnesotaMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleModern Farmhouse, CraftsmanColonial, 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 access, spacious yardsHistoric details, proximity to water
  • The Modern Farmhouse and Craftsman architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to water.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Michigan is less walkable than Minnesota.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Michigan is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
  • Michigan has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
  • Michigan housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Minnesota’s $331,117.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
  • Rent in Michigan is 12.96% more affordable than in Minnesota.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Michigan

ComparisonMinnesotaMichigan
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 DisastersBlizzards, TornadoesSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83/6381/61
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)23/-331/17
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3032
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5460
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Minnesota to Michigan. Michigan gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Minnesota.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 2 degrees colder than in Minnesota.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan as it receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Michigan

ComparisonMinnesotaMichigan
Avg. Household Income$82,338$66,986
Cost of Living Index98.7591.2
State Income Tax5.35%-9.85%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.08%1.64%
Avg. Sales Tax6.875%6%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, RetailAutomotive, Agriculture, Technology
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 19% less than in Minnesota
  • The COLI in Michigan will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 5.35% to 9.85% in MN
  • The affluence in Michigan is modest compared to moderate in Minnesota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Minnesota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Michigan

ComparisonMinnesotaMichigan
Political Make-upMixed, leaning DemocraticMixed, leaning Democratic
Local PoliticsDiverse, progressive cities like MinneapolisDiverse, with progressive hubs in places like Ann Arbor
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity prevalent, with a notable Muslim community
  • Minnesota tends to lean mixed, leaning Democratic in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, leaning Democratic
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as Christianity prevalent, with a notable Muslim community
  • Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant and diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Michigan

ComparisonMinnesotaMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Minnesota
Twin Cities; St. Olaf College; Carleton College
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor; Michigan State University; Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsScenic Heights Elementary
Minnetonka; Hale Elementary
Minneapolis; Deephaven Elementary
Deephaven
Bates Elementary
Dexter; Wealthy Elementary
East Grand Rapids; Spring Mill Elementary
Northville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWayzata East Middle School
Plymouth; Minnetonka Middle School East
Minnetonka; Mahtomedi Middle School
Mahtomedi
East Middle School
Grand Rapids; Boulan Park Middle School
Troy; West Middle School
Rochester
Top 3 High SchoolsEdina High School
Edina; Wayzata High School
Plymouth; Minnetonka High School
Minnetonka
International Academy
Bloomfield Hills; Troy High School
Troy; Northville High School
Northville
Top 3 private high schoolsBreck School
Golden Valley; Blake School
Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy
St. Paul
Detroit Country Day School
Beverly Hills; Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills; Greenhills School
Ann Arbor
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBreck School
Golden Valley; Blake School
Minneapolis; Minnehaha Academy
Minneapolis
Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills; Detroit Country Day School
Beverly Hills; Greenhills School
Ann Arbor
Top 3 School DistrictsMinnetonka Public Schools; Edina Public Schools; Wayzata Public SchoolsEast Grand Rapids Public Schools; Bloomfield Hills Schools; Okemos Public Schools

How Much Do Minnesota to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 605 miles from Minnesota to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 5-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,545300 ft3$5.15
1 Bedroom$2,296450 ft3$5.10
2 Bedrooms$3,789750 ft3$5.05
3 Bedrooms$5,5021100 ft3$5.00
4 Bedrooms$7,9231600 ft3$4.95
5+ Bedrooms$8,8231800 ft3$4.90

Top Minnesota to Michigan Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
General Expert Moving Service LLC featured image

General Expert Moving Service LLC

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details