North Carolina to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 849 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs bungalow, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern NC Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Michigan is 16.26% more affordable than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
North Carolina to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Michigan
- High summer humidity
- Hurricane threats
- Limited winter sports
- Higher taxes
- Cooler summers
- No hurricanes
- Winter sports galore
- Lower property taxes
- Harsh winters
- Shorter growing season
- Less southern charm
- Different historical focus
- Mild winters
- Longer growing season
- Friendly southern culture
- Rich historical sites
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Michigan
- Say goodbye to high summer humidity and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane threats and moving to Michigan with no hurricanes
- Swap the limited winter sports of North Carolina for winter sports galore in Michigan
- Get ready for lower property taxes in Michigan
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in North Carolina to live with harsh winters in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of a longer growing season and have to settle with the con of a shorter growing season
- Time to bid farewell to friendly southern culture and get used to less southern charm in Michigan
- Swap rich historical sites for a different historical focus
North Carolina vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC Barbecue | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Barbecue Jackfruit | Mushroom Jerky |
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 North Carolina to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC Barbecue and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Barbecue Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Jerky of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Skylight Inn BBQ, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Lantern. 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 The Clarkston Union.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Michigan
Comparison | North Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Bungalow, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Granite countertops, Hardwood floors | Lake access, Energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Bungalow and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference granite countertops and hardwood floors, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Michigan housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Michigan is 16.26% more affordable than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Michigan
Comparison | North Carolina | 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, floods | Snowstorms, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 66Β°F | 81Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 31Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 30-38" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 60-160" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Michigan. Michigan gets 20% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and floods in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 7 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Michigan
Comparison | North Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Automotive, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low to Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 1% less than those in North Carolina
- The COLI in Michigan will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to moderate poverty in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Carolina and low to moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Michigan
Comparison | North Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, leaning conservative | Swing state, leaning liberal |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, liberal in urban | Liberal in urban areas, conservative in rural |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Catholic and Evangelical Protestant |
- North Carolina tends to lean swing state, leaning conservative in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as swing state, leaning liberal
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as Catholic and Evangelical Protestant
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Michigan
Comparison | North Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Sterling Montessori Academy (Morrisville) | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Angell Elementary (Ann Arbor) Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Carnage Middle School (Raleigh) Jay M Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) Phillips Middle School (Chapel Hill) | East Middle School (Farmington Hills) West Middle School (Rochester) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) |
Top 3 High School Schools | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Providence High School (Charlotte) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Rochester Adams High School (Rochester Hills) Troy High School (Troy) |
Top 3 private high schools | Noble Academy (Greensboro) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) The Roeper School (Birmingham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy (Cary) Charlotte Preparatory School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) | Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) University Liggett School (Grosse Pointe Woods) The Grosse Pointe Academy (Grosse Pointe Farms) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Ann Arbor Public Schools |
How Much Do North Carolina to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 849 miles from North Carolina to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,684 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,503 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,135 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,009 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,660 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,653 | 1800 ft3 | $5.36 |
Top North Carolina to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Michigan