Texas to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,378 mile interstate move from Texas to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs moderate summer weather), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Texas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Texas Chili, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Michigan is 14.32% more affordable than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Texas to Michigan movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Michigan
- Extreme summer heat
- Longer commutes
- Higher property taxes
- Limited snowfall
- Few distinct seasons
- Moderate summer weather
- More public transit
- Lower cost of living
- Winter activities
- Four distinct seasons
- State income tax
- Harsh winters
- Less food variety
- Fewer cultural events
- Smaller urban areas
- No state income tax
- Year-round sun
- Diverse cuisine
- Rich cultural history
- Larger cities
Pros of moving from Texas to Michigan
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to moderate summer weather
- Look forward to moving away from longer commutes and moving to Michigan with more public transit
- Swap the higher property taxes of Texas for a lower cost of living in Michigan
- Get ready for winter activities in Michigan
Cons of moving from Texas to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from no state income tax in Texas to live with state income tax in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of year-round sun and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to less food variety in Michigan
- Swap rich cultural history for fewer cultural events
Texas vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Texas Chili | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Coney Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | Lentil Burger |
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 Texas to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Texas Chili and sumptuous Tacos, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burger of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Killen's Steakhouse, and Guero's Taco Bar. 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 Supino Pizzeria.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Michigan
Comparison | Texas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious layouts, Luxury amenities | Lake access, Family-friendly neighborhoods |
- The Ranch architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious layouts and luxury amenities, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and family-friendly neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Texas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Texas.
- Michigan has an equally urban feel as Texas.
- Michigan housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in Michigan is 14.32% more affordable than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and Michigan
Comparison | Texas | 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, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 73Β°F | 81Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 31Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36" | 30-38" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 60-160" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Texas to Michigan. Michigan gets 27% fewer sunshine days than Texas.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, and be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 13 degrees colder than in Texas.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Michigan
Comparison | Texas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.81% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Technology, Agriculture | Automotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 7% less than in Texas
- The COLI in Michigan will be 0% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... By moving from TX to MI, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.25%
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in Texas
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to moderate in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Texas and visible in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Michigan
Comparison | Texas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican, but with growing Democratic influence in urban areas | Nationally, leans Democratic, especially in metropolitan areas like Detroit and Ann Arbor |
Local Politics | Policies often reflect conservative stances on issues like taxes and regulation | More progressive policies in urban areas, with a mix of liberal and conservative policies statewide |
Religion | Largely Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence | Diverse religious landscape, with Christianity being predominant alongside growing other religious communities |
- Texas tends to lean traditionally Republican, but with growing Democratic influence in urban areas in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as nationally leaning Democratic, especially in metropolitan areas like Detroit and Ann Arbor
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, with Christianity being predominant alongside growing other religious communities
- Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Michigan
Comparison | Texas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas Texas A&M University University of Houston | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B Travis Academy (Dallas) Tanglewood Elementary (Fort Worth) Walnut Hill Elementary (Dallas) | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Spring Mills Elementary (Highland) Musson Elementary (Rochester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William B Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas) St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) Young Women's Leadership Academy (San Antonio) | Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) Meads Mill Middle School (Northville) Northern Hills Middle School (Grand Rapids) |
Top 3 High Schools | School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) City Middle/High School (Grand Rapids) Troy High School (Troy) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) Kincaid School (Houston) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greenhill School (Addison) The Hockaday School (Dallas) St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin) | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District (Austin) Carroll Independent School District (Southlake) Coppell Independent School District (Coppell) | East Grand Rapids Public Schools (Grand Rapids) Bloomfield Hills Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Troy School District (Troy) |
How Much Do Texas to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 1,378 miles from Texas to Michigan will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,984 | 300 ft3 | $6.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,953 | 450 ft3 | $6.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,884 | 750 ft3 | $6.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,109 | 1100 ft3 | $6.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,260 | 1600 ft3 | $6.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,452 | 1800 ft3 | $6.36 |
Top Texas to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to Michigan