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Mississippi to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 986 mile interstate move from Mississippi to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like Mississippi Mud Pie vs Coney Dog), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs bungalow/craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Mississippi Mud Pie and Fried Catfish, but get your taste buds ready for Coney Dog & Pasty
  • Michigan housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
  • Rent in Michigan is 5.95% more expensive than in Mississippi
  • Moving from Mississippi to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Mississippi to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Mississippi to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Michigan

ConsMississippi iconMississippi
  • High humidity
  • Limited public transport
  • Fewer seasonal changes
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Cooler summers
  • Extensive transit systems
  • Four distinct seasons

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh, snowy winters
  • Higher living expenses
  • Less friendly pace
Mississippi iconMississippi
  • Mild winters
  • Lower living cost
  • Southern hospitality

Pros of moving from Mississippi to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Michigan with extensive transit systems
  • Swap the fewer seasonal changes of Mississippi for four distinct seasons in Michigan

Cons of moving from Mississippi to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Mississippi to live with harsh snowy winters in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lower living costs and have to settle with the con of higher living expenses
  • Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to a less friendly pace in Michigan

Mississippi vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMississippiMichigan
Most iconic local food itemMississippi Mud PieConey Dog
Most popular meat dishFried CatfishPasty
Most popular street food itemTamalesConey Dog
Most popular vegan foodOkra GumboVegan Pasties
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Mayflower Cafe
  • Bully's Restaurant
  • Walker's Drive-In
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Supino Pizzeria
  • Rose's Fine Food
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 Mississippi to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Mississippi Mud Pie of Mississippi for the equally delicious Coney Dog of Michigan. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Fried Catfish and sumptuous Tamales, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasty and Coney Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pasties of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like The Mayflower Cafe, Bully's Restaurant, and Walker's Drive-In. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Supino Pizzeria, and Rose's Fine Food.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Michigan

ComparisonMississippiMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleColonial RevivalBungalow/Craftsman
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 listingLarge yards, privacyLake access, close to nature
  • The Colonial Revival architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Bungalow/Craftsman architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Mississippi.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
  • Michigan housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Mississippi’s $178,490.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
  • Rent in Michigan is 5.95% more expensive than in Mississippi.

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

ComparisonMississippiMichigan
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F / 70Β°F81Β°F / 59Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)57Β°F / 34Β°F32Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)59"32"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"60"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Mississippi to Michigan. Michigan gets 22% fewer sunshine days than Mississippi.
  • Michigan has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Mississippi.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 10 degrees colder than in Mississippi.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Mississippi.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Michigan

ComparisonMississippiMichigan
Avg. Household Income$52,719$66,986
Cost of Living Index92.191.2
State Income Tax5%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.81%1.45%
Avg. Sales Tax7%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, HealthcareAutomotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare
AffluenceModestModerate
PovertySignificantModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 27% more than in Mississippi
  • The COLI in Michigan will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Mississippi
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 5% in MS
  • The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to modest in Mississippi
  • The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to significant in Mississippi
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Michigan

ComparisonMississippiMichigan
Political Make-upTraditionally leans conservativeModerate with swings in both directions
Local PoliticsSignificant emphasis on state and local governanceDiverse spectrum of local politics with active engagement
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ChristianMix of various faiths but less religious overall
  • Mississippi tends to lean traditionally conservative in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with swings in both directions
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as a mix of various faiths but less religious overall
  • Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Michigan

ComparisonMississippiMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Mississippi
Mississippi State University
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMadison Station Elementary (Madison)
Eastside Elementary (Clinton)
Oxford Elementary (Oxford)
Bates Elementary (Dexter)
Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids)
Spring Mill Elementary (Northville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsOlde Towne Middle School (Ridgeland)
Northwest Rankin Middle School (Flowood)
Madison Middle School (Madison)
Boulan Park Middle School (Troy)
Smith Middle School (Troy)
East Middle School (Plymouth)
Top 3 High School SchoolsMurrah High School (Jackson)
Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus)
Oxford High School (Oxford)
International Academy (Bloomfield Hills)
Troy High School (Troy)
Novi High School (Novi)
Top 3 private high schoolsJackson Prep (Jackson)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFrench Camp Academy (French Camp)
Jackson Academy (Jackson)
Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg)
Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills)
The Grosse Pointe Academy (Grosse Pointe Farms)
Greenhills School (Ann Arbor)
Top 3 School DistrictsMadison County Schools
Clinton Public School District
Jackson Public Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Northville Public Schools
Bloomfield Hills Schools

How Much Do Mississippi to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 986 miles from Mississippi to Michigan 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,761300 ft3$5.87
1 Bedroom$2,620450 ft3$5.82
2 Bedrooms$4,329750 ft3$5.77
3 Bedrooms$6,2941100 ft3$5.72
4 Bedrooms$9,0751600 ft3$5.67
5+ Bedrooms$10,1191800 ft3$5.62

Top Mississippi to Michigan Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi 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 Mississippi to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MoveMint - Pack & Move

MoveMint - Pack & Move

8.59/10
FabulousView details
Top Mississippi to Michigan Routes

Jackson to Michigan