Wisconsin to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 207 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like brutal winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (prairie and bungalow vs colonial and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Michigan is 16.01% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Wisconsin to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Michigan
- Brutal winters
- Limited coastline
- Fewer urban centers
- Milder winters
- Great Lakes access
- More urban opportunities
- Less dairy focus
- Higher living costs
- Urban sprawl
- Rich dairy culture
- Low cost of living
- Beautiful countryside
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Michigan
- Say goodbye to brutal winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Michigan with Great Lakes access
- Swap the fewer urban centers of Wisconsin for more urban opportunities in Michigan
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich dairy culture in Wisconsin to live with less dairy focus in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living costs
- Time to bid farewell to beautiful countryside and get used to urban sprawl in Michigan
Wisconsin vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Coney Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Cheese Platter | Vegan Pasties |
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 Wisconsin to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Cheese Platter they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pasties of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like L'Etoile, Mader's, and The Old Fashioned. 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, Cliff Bell's, and Rose's Fine Food.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows an equal emphasis on fitness and health consciousness compared to Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Michigan
Comparison | Wisconsin | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Bungalow | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakes and natural beauty | Access to Great Lakes and historical areas |
- The Prairie and Bungalow architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lakes and natural beauty, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like access to the Great Lakes and historical areas.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Michigan housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Michigan is 16.01% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Michigan
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82/62 | 81/61 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28/13 | 31/17 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 34 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Wisconsin to Michigan. Michigan gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Michigan has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan. Michigan receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Michigan
Comparison | Wisconsin | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 6.27% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Automotive, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 6% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Michigan will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 6.27% in WI
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and low in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Comparison | Wisconsin | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a mix of conservative rural areas and liberal urban centers | Swing state, historically labor-focused with a recent tilt towards more centrist policies |
Local Politics | Mix of progressive strongholds like Madison and heavily conservative rural regions | Diverse, with Democratic strongholds in Detroit and Grand Rapids, and Republican in rural areas |
Religion | Christianity predominates, with a significant Catholic population | Christianity predominates; diverse religious communities in urban areas |
- Wisconsin tends to lean swing state with a mix of conservative rural areas and liberal urban centers in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, historically labor-focused with a recent tilt towards more centrist policies
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as Christianity predominates and diverse religious communities in urban areas
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Michigan
Comparison | Wisconsin | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | University of Michigan Michigan State University Michigan Technological University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Elmwood Elementary (Elmwood) Lake Shore Middle (Mequon) | Harlan Elementary (Birmingham) Spring Mills Elementary (Highland) Bingham Farms Elementary (Bingham Farms) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) Whitman Middle School (Wauwatosa) | West Middle School (Rochester Hills) East Middle School (Farmington Hills) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High (Whitefish Bay) Eau Claire Memorial High (Eau Claire) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Okemos High School (Okemos) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) Prairie School (Racine) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Whitefish Bay School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District | Birmingham Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Okemos Public Schools |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 207 miles from Wisconsin to Michigan will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,320 | 300 ft3 | $4.40 |
1 Bedroom | $1,957 | 450 ft3 | $4.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,225 | 750 ft3 | $4.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,674 | 1100 ft3 | $4.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,719 | 1600 ft3 | $4.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,469 | 1800 ft3 | $4.15 |
Top Wisconsin to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.