Mississippi to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

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
- High humidity
- Limited public transport
- Fewer seasonal changes
- Cooler summers
- Extensive transit systems
- Four distinct seasons
- Harsh, snowy winters
- Higher living expenses
- Less friendly pace
- 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Mississippi Mud Pie | Coney Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Catfish | Pasty |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Vegan Pasties |
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 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival | Bungalow/Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Lake 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 Mississippiβs $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
Comparison | Mississippi | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 70Β°F | 81Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 34Β°F | 32Β°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
Comparison | Mississippi | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.81% | 1.45% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Automotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans conservative | Moderate with swings in both directions |
Local Politics | Significant emphasis on state and local governance | Diverse spectrum of local politics with active engagement |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Mix 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
Comparison | Mississippi | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Madison Station Elementary (Madison) Eastside Elementary (Clinton) Oxford Elementary (Oxford) | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids) Spring Mill Elementary (Northville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Olde 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 Schools | Murrah 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 schools | Jackson Prep (Jackson) St. Andrewβs 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 schools | French 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 Districts | Madison 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,761 | 300 ft3 | $5.87 |
1 Bedroom | $2,620 | 450 ft3 | $5.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,329 | 750 ft3 | $5.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,294 | 1100 ft3 | $5.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,075 | 1600 ft3 | $5.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,119 | 1800 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.