Minnesota to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

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
- Extremely cold winters
- Rural isolation
- Higher living costs
- Milder winters
- Urban convenience
- Lower housing prices
- Less cultural diversity
- Harsh lake-effect snow
- Fewer top hospitals
- 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Pasties |
Most popular meat dish | Wild Rice Burger | Detroit-style Coney Dog |
Most popular street food item | Cheese Curds | Faygo Pop |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowl | Tofu Scramble |
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 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern Farmhouse, Craftsman | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, spacious yards | Historic 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 Minnesotaβs $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
Comparison | Minnesota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 81/61 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23/-3 | 31/17 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 60 |
- 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.35%-9.85% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 1.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.875% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Automotive, Agriculture, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leaning Democratic | Mixed, leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Diverse, progressive cities like Minneapolis | Diverse, with progressive hubs in places like Ann Arbor |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka; Hale Elementary Minneapolis; Deephaven Elementary Deephaven | Bates Elementary Dexter; Wealthy Elementary East Grand Rapids; Spring Mill Elementary Northville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata 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 Schools | Edina 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 schools | Breck 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 schools | Breck 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 Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools; Edina Public Schools; Wayzata Public Schools | East 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,545 | 300 ft3 | $5.15 |
1 Bedroom | $2,296 | 450 ft3 | $5.10 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,789 | 750 ft3 | $5.05 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,502 | 1100 ft3 | $5.00 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,923 | 1600 ft3 | $4.95 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,823 | 1800 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.