Movers

Tennessee to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 708 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Barbecue vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Barbecue and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Coney Island Hot Dog
  • Michigan housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Michigan is 13.72% more affordable than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Tennessee to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Michigan

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Hot summers
  • Limited snowfall
  • Traffic in urban areas
  • Smaller financial sector
  • Limited fresh water spots
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Cooler climate
  • Winter activities
  • Smoother commutes
  • Diverse job market
  • Great Lakes access

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Higher taxes
  • Adjusting to a new culture
  • Harsh winters
  • Pine trees overpower autumn colors
  • Extreme north location
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Stable cost of living
  • Familiar community
  • Warm winters
  • Regional foods
  • Central location/South

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a cooler climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited snowfall and moving to Michigan with winter activities
  • Swap the traffic in urban areas of Tennessee for smoother commutes in Michigan
  • Get ready for a diverse job market in Michigan

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a stable cost of living in Tennessee to live with higher taxes in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a familiar community and have to settle with the con of adjusting to a new culture
  • Time to bid farewell to warm winters and get used to harsh winters in Michigan
  • Swap regional foods for pine trees that overpower autumn colors

Tennessee vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeMichigan
Most iconic local food itemBarbecueCherry Pie
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenConey Island Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemBarbecue NachosFood Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Jackfruit SandwichLentil Walnut Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Prince's Hot Chicken
    • Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous
    • Monell's Dining & Catering
    • Slows Bar BQ
    • Zingerman's Delicatessen
    • 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 (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Tennessee to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic barbecue of Tennessee for the equally delicious cherry pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful hot chicken and sumptuous barbecue nachos, Michigan residents know they have tasty Coney Island hot dogs and food truck tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the lentil walnut burger of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like Prince's Hot Chicken, Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, and Monell's Dining & Catering. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and American Coney Island.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Michigan

ComparisonTennesseeMichigan
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 listingLarge yards, scenic viewsLakeside properties, energy efficiency
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and scenic views, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Michigan housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in Michigan is 13.72% more affordable than in Tennessee.

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

ComparisonTennesseeMichigan
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, Floods
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6981/61
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3032/18
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"30-38"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"60-160"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Michigan. Michigan gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, 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 8 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 20 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Michigan

ComparisonTennesseeMichigan
Avg. Household Income$65,254$66,986
Cost of Living Index88.991.2
State Income Tax0%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.7%1.6%
Avg. Sales Tax9.5%6%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, AgricultureAutomotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 3% more than those in Tennessee
  • The COLI in Michigan will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
  • Bummer... By moving from TN to MI, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.25%
  • The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Tennessee and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Michigan

ComparisonTennesseeMichigan
Political Make-upLean ConservativeSwing State, trending Democratic
Local PoliticsStrong Republican presence in rural areasMix of Democratic and Republican, urban areas lean Democratic
ReligionHighly religious, predominant Evangelical ChristianDiverse religious landscape, but less religious than Tennessee
  • Tennessee tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, trending Democratic
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, but less religious than Tennessee
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious, predominantly Evangelical Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Michigan

ComparisonTennesseeMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Belmont University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLipscomb Elementary - Brentwood
Walton Ferry Elementary - Hendersonville
John P. Freeman Optional School - Memphis
Bates Elementary - Dexter
Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids
Angell School - Ann Arbor
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBrentwood Middle - Brentwood
Meigs Magnet Middle - Nashville
Houston Middle - Germantown
East Grand Rapids Middle - East Grand Rapids
West Middle - Plymouth
Clague Middle - Ann Arbor
Top 3 High School SchoolsCentral Magnet School - Murfreesboro
Hume-Fogg Academic High - Nashville
Brentwood High - Brentwood
International Academy - Bloomfield Hills
Troy High - Troy
Novi High - Novi
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School - Chattanooga
McCallie School - Chattanooga
Ensworth School - Nashville
Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Greenhills School - Ann Arbor
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWebb School - Bell Buckle
Baylor School - Chattanooga
University School of Nashville - Nashville
Roeper School - Bloomfield Hills
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Greenhills School - Ann Arbor
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Oak Ridge School District
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Troy School District

How Much Do Tennessee to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 708 miles from Tennessee 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,604300 ft3$5.35
1 Bedroom$2,383450 ft3$5.30
2 Bedrooms$3,935750 ft3$5.25
3 Bedrooms$5,7161100 ft3$5.20
4 Bedrooms$8,2341600 ft3$5.15
5+ Bedrooms$9,1731800 ft3$5.10

Top Tennessee to Michigan Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details

Knoxville to Michigan

Chattanooga to Michigan

Clarksville to Michigan