Montana to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,359 mile interstate move from Montana to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs moderate climate), food & health (like Bison steak vs Cherry pie), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs bungalow, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bison steak and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry pie & Coney Dog
- Michigan housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Montana
- Rent in Michigan is 2.92% more expensive than in Montana
- Moving from Montana to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Montana to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Montana to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Michigan
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Fewer educational institutions
- Remote towns
- Isolation from amenities
- Moderate climate
- Diverse job opportunities
- Renowned universities
- Developed urban areas
- Plentiful recreational options
- Urban density
- Less natural space
- Fewer wildlife encounters
- Higher crime rates
- Less personal connections
- Breathtaking landscapes
- Outdoor activities
- Unique wildlife
- Low crime rates
- Community spirit
Pros of moving from Montana to Michigan
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a moderate climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Michigan with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the fewer educational institutions of Montana for renowned universities in Michigan
- Get ready for developed urban areas in Michigan
Cons of moving from Montana to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from breathtaking landscapes in Montana to live with urban density in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of less natural space
- Time to bid farewell to unique wildlife and get used to fewer wildlife encounters in Michigan
- Swap low crime rates for higher crime rates
Montana vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Montana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bison steak | Cherry pie |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Coney Dog |
Most popular street food item | Huckleberry hand pies | Pasty |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil burger | Tempeh reuben |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Montana to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious Cherry pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Huckleberry hand pies, Michigan residents know they have tasty Coney Dog and Pasty to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh reuben of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like The Dinosaur Cafe, Buck's T-4 Lodge, and 2nd Street Bistro. 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, Slows Bar BQ, and Bell's Brewery.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Michigan
Comparison | Montana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Bungalow, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Open spaces | Lakes access, Close to schools |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Bungalow and Colonial architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open spaces, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like access to lakes and being close to schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Montana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Montana.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Montana.
- Michigan housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Montanaβs $456,199.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
- Rent in Michigan is 2.92% more expensive than in Montana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and Michigan
Comparison | Montana | 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 | Wildfires, Floods | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 45Β°F | 81Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 17Β°F | 32Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15 | 32.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 50 | 60.66 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to Michigan. Michigan gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Montana.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
- The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 1 degree colder than in Montana.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Montana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan, as it receives 17.8 more inches of rain compared to Montana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Michigan
Comparison | Montana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | up to 6.9% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.44% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Agriculture, Tourism | Automotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 1% less than in Montana
- The COLI in Michigan will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to up to 6.9% in MT
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in Montana
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to moderate in Montana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Michigan
Comparison | Montana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative | Swing state, leans slightly liberal |
Local Politics | Rural interests, agriculture | Urban vs. rural divide, auto industry, labor unions |
Religion | Christianity predominant, but diverse religious presence | Christianity predominant, significant Muslim community |
- Montana tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that leans slightly liberal
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a significant Muslim community
- Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity but with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Michigan
Comparison | Montana | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Montana State University University of Montana Montana Tech | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Hawthorne School (Bozeman) Cold Springs School (Missoula) Chief Joseph School (Great Falls) | Bates Elementary School (Dexter) Wealthy School (East Grand Rapids) Spring Mill Elementary School (Northville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) East Middle School (Great Falls) Washington Middle School (Missoula) | Clague Middle School (Ann Arbor) East Middle School (Farmington Hills) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Great Falls High School (Great Falls) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Okemos High School (Okemos) |
Top 3 private high schools | Billings Christian School (Billings) Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula) Missoula International School (Missoula) | Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Roeper School (Birmingham) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) Valley Christian School (Missoula) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Waldorf School (Detroit) Emerson School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman Public Schools Billings Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Ann Arbor Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools |
How Much Do Montana to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 1,359 miles from Montana to Michigan 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: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,973 | 300 ft3 | $6.58 |
1 Bedroom | $2,937 | 450 ft3 | $6.53 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,857 | 750 ft3 | $6.48 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,069 | 1100 ft3 | $6.43 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,202 | 1600 ft3 | $6.38 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,388 | 1800 ft3 | $6.33 |
Top Montana to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.