New York to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

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
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Lack of green spaces
- Overcrowded
- Affordable housing
- Lesser traffic
- Ample parks
- Lower population density
- Fewer transit options
- Fewer job choices
- Less diversity
- Limited cuisine options
- 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
Comparison | New York | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagel with Lox | Michigan Pasties |
Most popular meat dish | Pastrami on Rye | Detroit-style Coneys |
Most popular street food item | Halloal Gyro | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Tempeh Reuben |
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 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
Comparison | New York | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and High-rise | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to public transport, luxury amenities | Lake 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 Yorkβs $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
Comparison | New York | 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, Blizzards | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate to Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 66Β°F | 81Β°F / 61Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 26Β°F | 31Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.9 | 32.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25.3 | 60.66 |
- 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
Comparison | New York | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.72% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.875% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Automotive |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Significant | Lower |
- 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
Comparison | New York | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Predominantly Democratic | Mixed, leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive policies | Varied policies, with strong union influence |
Religion | Diverse, with large Jewish and Catholic populations | Predominantly 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
Comparison | New York | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | PS 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 Schools | Baccalaureate 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 Schools | Stuyvesant 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 schools | Horace 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 schools | Collegiate 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 Districts | Great 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,598 | 300 ft3 | $5.33 |
1 Bedroom | $2,374 | 450 ft3 | $5.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,919 | 750 ft3 | $5.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,693 | 1100 ft3 | $5.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,201 | 1600 ft3 | $5.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,136 | 1800 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.