Movers

Ohio to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 365 mile interstate move from Ohio to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters near lake), food & health (like Buckeye candy vs Pasties), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Ohio), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Buckeye candy and Cincinnati chili, but get your taste buds ready for Pasties & Detroit-style Coney dogs
  • Michigan housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Ohio
  • Rent in Michigan is 0.20% more expensive than in Ohio
  • Moving from Ohio to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Ohio to Michigan movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Ohio to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to Michigan

ConsOhio iconOhio
  • Harsh winters
  • Flat terrain
  • Limited job growth
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Milder winters near Lake
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Diverse job market

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Higher cost of living
  • Smaller art scenes
  • Longer travel times
Ohio iconOhio
  • Affordable living
  • Rich cultural history
  • Central location

Pros of moving from Ohio to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters near Lake
  • Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Michigan with scenic landscapes
  • Swap the limited job growth of Ohio for a diverse job market in Michigan

Cons of moving from Ohio to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable living in Ohio to live with a higher cost of living in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural history and have to settle for the con of smaller art scenes
  • Time to bid farewell to a central location and get used to longer travel times in Michigan

Ohio vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonOhioMichigan
Most iconic local food itemBuckeye candyPasties
Most popular meat dishCincinnati chiliDetroit-style Coney dogs
Most popular street food itemPierogiesPaczkis
Most popular vegan foodBlack bean burgersLentil walnut burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Skyline Chili
  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
  • The Thurman Cafe
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • Cliff Bell's
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Ohio to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Buckeye candy of Ohio for the equally delicious Pasties of Michigan. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Cincinnati chili and sumptuous Pierogies, Michigan residents know they have tasty Detroit-style Coney dogs and Paczkis to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black bean burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil walnut burgers of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Skyline Chili, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, and The Thurman Cafe. 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 Cliff Bell's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and Michigan

ComparisonOhioMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchCraftsman, 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 listingSpacious yards, Finished basementsLake access, Energy efficiency
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and finished basements, 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 Ohio.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Ohio.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Ohio.
  • Michigan housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Ohio’s $223,135.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
  • Rent in Michigan is 0.20% more expensive than in Ohio.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and Michigan

ComparisonOhioMichigan
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F/63Β°F81Β°F/61Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)36Β°F/19Β°F32Β°F/17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39 inches33 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)28 inches60 inches
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Ohio to Michigan. Michigan gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Ohio.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Ohio.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 2 degrees colder than in Ohio.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Ohio.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Ohio.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and Michigan

ComparisonOhioMichigan
Avg. Household Income$65,720$66,986
Cost of Living Index92.8591.2
State Income Tax3.99%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.57%1.52%
Avg. Sales Tax7.25%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, EnergyManufacturing, Automotive, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 2% more than in Ohio
  • The COLI in Michigan is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Ohio
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 3.99% in OH
  • The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in Ohio
  • The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Ohio
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Ohio and low in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. Michigan

ComparisonOhioMichigan
Political Make-upSwing StateSwing State with a slight Democratic lean
Local PoliticsMix of local governance types, often leaning conservative in rural areasVaried, with stronger Democratic strongholds in urban areas like Detroit
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban centersSimilar to Ohio, with significant Muslim communities in places like Dearborn
  • Ohio tends to lean swing State in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as swing State with a slight Democratic lean
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as similar to Ohio, with significant Muslim communities in places like Dearborn
  • Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities in urban centers

Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to Michigan

ComparisonOhioMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
Miami University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsIndian Hill Elementary
Cincinnati
Granville Elementary
Granville
Ottawa Hills Elementary
Ottawa Hills
Bates Elementary
Dexter
Spring Mill Elementary
Northville
Angell Elementary
Ann Arbor
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBexley Middle School
Bexley
Mason Middle School
Mason
Hudson Middle School
Hudson
Clague Middle School
Ann Arbor
East Middle School
Grand Blanc
Mill Creek Middle School
Dexter
Top 3 High SchoolsWalnut Hills High School
Cincinnati
Indian Hill High School
Cincinnati
Ottawa Hills High School
Ottawa Hills
International Academy
Bloomfield Hills
Community High School
Ann Arbor
Troy High School
Troy
Top 3 private high schoolsHawken School
Gates Mills
University School
Hunting Valley
The Seven Hills School
Cincinnati
Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills
Detroit Country Day School
Beverly Hills
Roeper School
Birmingham
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsColumbus Academy
Gahanna
Cincinnati Country Day School
Cincinnati
Hawken School
Gates Mills
Greenhills School
Ann Arbor
Roeper School
Birmingham
Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills
Top 3 School DistrictsIndian Hill Exempted Village School District
Cincinnati
Wyoming City Schools
Wyoming
Solon City Schools
Solon
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
East Grand Rapids
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Bloomfield Hills
Northville Public Schools
Northville

How Much Do Ohio to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 365 miles from Ohio to Michigan will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,409300 ft3$4.70
1 Bedroom$2,092450 ft3$4.65
2 Bedrooms$3,449750 ft3$4.60
3 Bedrooms$5,0031100 ft3$4.55
4 Bedrooms$7,1971600 ft3$4.50
5+ Bedrooms$8,0061800 ft3$4.45

Top Ohio to Michigan Movers

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

TOP PICK
Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC featured image

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Best moving company overall for Ohio to Michigan

9.81/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Blue Men Moving LLC featured image

Blue Men Moving LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details