Movers

Utah to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 1,696 mile interstate move from Utah to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high desert terrain vs lush forests), food & health (like Fry sauce vs Coney Island hot dog), real estate & housing (craftsman vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fry sauce and Utah scones, but get your taste buds ready for Coney Island hot dog & Pasties
  • Michigan housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Utah
  • Rent in Michigan is 13.87% more affordable than in Utah
  • Moving from Utah to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Utah to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Utah to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Michigan

ConsUtah iconUtah
  • High desert terrain
  • Limited water bodies
  • Hot, dry summers
  • Higher elevation
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Lush forests
  • Great Lakes access
  • Moderate summer climate
  • Lower elevation

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Fewer skiing options
  • Urban crime concerns
  • Somewhat higher costs
  • Higher humidity
Utah iconUtah
  • Ski resorts
  • Low crime rate
  • Affordable housing
  • Arid climate

Pros of moving from Utah to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to high desert terrain and hello to lush forests
  • Look forward to moving away from limited water bodies and moving to Michigan with great Lakes access
  • Swap the hot, dry summers of Utah for a moderate summer climate in Michigan
  • Get ready for a lower elevation in Michigan

Cons of moving from Utah to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from ski resorts in Utah to live with fewer skiing options in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a low crime rate and have to settle with the con of urban crime concerns
  • Time to bid farewell to affordable housing and get used to somewhat higher costs in Michigan
  • Swap an arid climate for higher humidity

Utah vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonUtahMichigan
Most iconic local food itemFry sauceConey Island hot dog
Most popular meat dishUtah sconesPasties
Most popular street food itemNavajo tacoFood truck tacos
Most popular vegan foodVegan burgersVegan chili
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Red Iguana
  • The Roof Restaurant
  • HSL
  • American Coney Island
  • Zingerman’s Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
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 Utah to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Fry sauce of Utah for the equally delicious Coney Island hot dog of Michigan. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Utah scones and sumptuous Navajo taco, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and food truck tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the vegan burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan chili of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like Red Iguana, The Roof Restaurant, and HSL. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like American Coney Island, Zingerman’s Delicatessen, and Slows Bar BQ.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Michigan

ComparisonUtahMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanColonial
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 listingMountain views, open floor plansLakeside properties, historic details
  • The Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and historic details.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Michigan is less walkable than Utah.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Michigan is less bike-friendly than Utah.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Utah.
  • Michigan housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Utah’s $519,182.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
  • Rent in Michigan is 13.87% more affordable than in Utah.

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

ComparisonUtahMichigan
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 DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVaries (Urban vs Rural)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F81Β°F / 59Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 20Β°F31Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)20"30-38"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)56"60-90"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Michigan; Michigan gets 29% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Utah.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Utah, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • Get ready for colder summers; the average summer high temperature in Michigan is 4 degrees colder than in Utah.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Utah.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan as it receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Utah.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Michigan

ComparisonUtahMichigan
Avg. Household Income$89,168$66,986
Cost of Living Index95.7591.2
State Income Tax4.95%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%1.54%
Avg. Sales Tax6.1%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Mining, AgricultureAutomotive, Health, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateAverage
PovertyLowerHigher
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 25% less than in Utah
  • The COLI in Michigan will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in Utah
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 4.95% in UT
  • The affluence in Michigan is average compared to moderate in Utah
  • The poverty level is higher in Michigan compared to lower in Utah
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Utah and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Michigan

ComparisonUtahMichigan
Political Make-upConservative/RepublicanModerate, leaning Democratic
Local PoliticsState policies often align with LDS Church viewsMix of urban liberal policies and rural conservative views
ReligionMajority Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)Diverse, with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim communities
  • Utah tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as moderate, leaning Democratic
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as diverse, with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim communities
  • Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a majority of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)

Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Michigan

ComparisonUtahMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCanyon View Elementary
Alpine; Northridge Elementary
Orem; Oakridge School
Farmington
Bates Elementary
Dexter; Cherry Hill School
Ann Arbor; Winchester Elementary
Northville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCentennial Middle School
Provo; Fort Herriman Middle School
Herriman; North Star Academy
Bluffdale
Clague Middle School
Ann Arbor; East Middle School
Grand Blanc; Warner Middle School
Farmington Hills
Top 3 High School SchoolsAcademy for Math
Engineering & Science
Salt Lake City; Timpview High School
Provo; Davis High School
Kaysville
International Academy
Bloomfield Hills; Troy High School
Troy; Pioneer High School
Ann Arbor
Top 3 private high schoolsRowland Hall
Salt Lake City; Waterford School
Sandy; Madeleine Choir School
Salt Lake City
Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills; Detroit Country Day School
Beverly Hills; Greenhills School
Ann Arbor
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWasatch Academy
Mt. Pleasant; Rowland Hall
Salt Lake City; The Waterford School
Sandy
Greenhills School
Ann Arbor; Cranbrook
Bloomfield Hills; Roeper School
Birmingham
Top 3 School DistrictsPark City School District; Davis School District; Alpine School DistrictNovi Community School District; Ann Arbor Public Schools; East Grand Rapids Public Schools

How Much Do Utah to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 1,696 miles from Utah to Michigan will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,164300 ft3$7.21
1 Bedroom$3,223450 ft3$7.16
2 Bedrooms$5,335750 ft3$7.11
3 Bedrooms$7,7701100 ft3$7.06
4 Bedrooms$11,2211600 ft3$7.01
5+ Bedrooms$12,5341800 ft3$6.96

Top Utah to Michigan Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Utah 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 Utah to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Utah to Michigan Routes

Salt Lake City to Michigan