Movers

New York to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 697 mile interstate move from New York to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Bagel with Lox vs Michigan Pasties), real estate & housing (modern and high-rise vs colonial and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bagel with Lox and Pastrami on Rye, but get your taste buds ready for Michigan Pasties & Detroit-style Coneys
  • Michigan housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Michigan is 41.95% more affordable than in New York
  • Moving from New York to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended New York to Michigan movers is JP Urban Moving

New York to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Michigan

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Lack of green spaces
  • Overcrowded
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Affordable housing
  • Lesser traffic
  • Ample parks
  • Lower population density

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Fewer transit options
  • Fewer job choices
  • Less diversity
  • Limited cuisine options
New York iconNew York
  • Public transportation
  • Career opportunities
  • Cultural diversity
  • World-class dining

Pros of moving from New York to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Michigan with lesser traffic
  • Swap the lack of green spaces in New York for ample parks in Michigan
  • Get ready for lower population density in Michigan

Cons of moving from New York to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from public transportation in New York to live with fewer transit options in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of career opportunities and have to settle for the con of fewer job choices
  • Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to less diversity in Michigan
  • Swap world-class dining for limited cuisine options

New York vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkMichigan
Most iconic local food itemBagel with LoxMichigan Pasties
Most popular meat dishPastrami on RyeDetroit-style Coneys
Most popular street food itemHalloal GyroFried Pickles
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastTempeh Reuben
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • The Spotted Pig
  • Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • American Coney Island
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 New York to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Bagel with Lox of New York for the equally delicious Michigan Pasties of Michigan. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami on Rye and sumptuous Halal Gyro, Michigan residents know they have tasty Detroit-style Coneys and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast 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 New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, The Spotted Pig, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. 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 American Coney Island.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Michigan

ComparisonNew YorkMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleModern and High-riseColonial and Ranch
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 listingProximity to public transport, luxury amenitiesLake access, spacious yards
  • The Modern and High-rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to public transport and luxury amenities, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and spacious yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Michigan is less walkable than New York.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Michigan is less bike-friendly than New York.
  • Michigan has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Michigan housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
  • Rent in Michigan is 41.95% more affordable than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Michigan

ComparisonNew YorkMichigan
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, BlizzardsBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityModerateModerate to Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 66Β°F81Β°F / 61Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)39Β°F / 26Β°F31Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.932.8
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.360.66
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Michigan. Michigan gets 24% fewer sunshine days than New York.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 1 degree colder than in New York.
  • The average winter lows in Michigan are 8 degrees colder than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 17.1 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Michigan

ComparisonNew YorkMichigan
Avg. Household Income$79,557$66,986
Cost of Living Index102.891.2
State Income Tax6.85%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.72%1.54%
Avg. Sales Tax8.875%6%
Top 3 IndustriesFinancial Services, Healthcare, TechnologyManufacturing, Agriculture, Automotive
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessSignificantLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 16% less than in New York
  • The COLI in Michigan will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in New York
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 6.85% in NY
  • The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to high in New York
  • The poverty level is higher in Michigan compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in New York and lower in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Michigan

ComparisonNew YorkMichigan
Political Make-upPredominantly DemocraticMixed, leaning Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive policiesVaried policies, with strong union influence
ReligionDiverse, with large Jewish and Catholic populationsPredominantly Christian, with Catholic and Protestant groups
  • New York tends to lean predominantly 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 predominantly Christian, with Catholic and Protestant groups
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with large Jewish and Catholic populations

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Michigan

ComparisonNew YorkMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Columbia University
NYU
Cornell University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPS 77 Lower Lab School - New York
Success Academy Charter School - Bronx
Anderson School - New York
Bates Academy - Detroit
Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids
Spring Mill Elementary School - Northville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBaccalaureate School for Global Education - Astoria
MS 245 The Computer School - New York
The Anderson School - New York
Bates Academy - Detroit
East Middle School - Grand Rapids
Clague Middle School - Ann Arbor
Top 3 High School SchoolsStuyvesant High School - New York
Bronx High School of Science - Bronx
Brooklyn Technical High School - Brooklyn
International Academy of Macomb - Clinton Township
City Middle/High School - Grand Rapids
Troy High School - Troy
Top 3 private high schoolsHorace Mann School - Bronx
Trinity School - New York
Collegiate School - New York
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills
The Roeper School - Birmingham
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCollegiate School - New York
Trinity School - New York
Horace Mann School - Bronx
Greenhills School - Ann Arbor
The Roeper School - Birmingham
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Top 3 School DistrictsGreat Neck School District - Great Neck
Jericho Union Free School District - Jericho
Scarsdale Union Free School District - Scarsdale
East Grand Rapids Public Schools - East Grand Rapids
Birmingham Public Schools - Birmingham
Okemos Public Schools - Okemos

How Much Do New York to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 697 miles from New York 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,598300 ft3$5.33
1 Bedroom$2,374450 ft3$5.28
2 Bedrooms$3,919750 ft3$5.23
3 Bedrooms$5,6931100 ft3$5.18
4 Bedrooms$8,2011600 ft3$5.13
5+ Bedrooms$9,1361800 ft3$5.08

Top New York to Michigan Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Michigan

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Flex Moving and Storage featured image

Flex Moving and Storage

9.70/10
ExceptionalView details

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