($1,039) Cost of Moving From New York to Michigan
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to move from New York to Michigan ranges from $639 to $5,080 and takes two–seven days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Michigan to New York guide.
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The best New York to Michigan full-service movers
Moving from New York to Michigan? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.
To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.
Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving New York for your Michigan relocation:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
The best New York to Michigan moving container companies
Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in New York and drop it off at your new home in Michigan.
Check out these highly rated moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
The best New York to Michigan moving truck rentals
Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from New York to Michigan, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.
We like these rental moving trucks:
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
The best New York to Michigan labor-only movers
If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.
Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from New York to Michigan:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
How we chose the best moving companies for your NY to MI move
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 120 New York movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How much does it cost to move from New York to Michigan?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from New York to Michigan for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,039 - $3,537 | $818 - $1,985 | $541 - $1,074 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,145 - $5,080 | $1,416 - $2,815 | $639 - $1,340 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,580 - $7,137 | $1,919 - $3,422 | $739 - $1,547 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 815 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Cost to hire movers from New York to Michigan
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from New York to Michigan will cost between $1,039 and $3,537. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from NY to MI will range from $2,145 to $5,080, and a large move from New York to Michigan will cost from $3,580 to $7,137.
Cost of moving containers from New York to Michigan
Moving containers from New York to Michigan will cost you $818 to $1,985 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,416 to $2,815. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,919 to $3,422. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of New York.
Cost of moving truck rentals from New York to Michigan
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$541 to $1,074.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$639 to $1,340,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from New York to Michigan costs from
$739 to $1,547.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from NY to MI
There are many factors that influence New York moving costs. The cost to move from New York to Michigan will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in New York is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from NY to MI
If you’re moving to Michigan from New York, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: New York vs. Michigan
| New York | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,507 | $1,037 |
| Average home cost | $482,742 | $245,716 |
| Average income (per capita) | $81,386 | $68,505 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 92 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 4.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.52% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 10.9% | 4.25% |
- Rent is about 31% less expensive in Michigan than in New York.
- Home prices are about 49% lower in Michigan than in New York.
- The average income is about 16% lower in Michigan than in New York.
- Cost of living is 8% lower in Michigan than in New York.
- Michigan has a higher unemployment rate than New York by about 7%.
- Sales taxes are 30% lower in Michigan than in New York.
- Income taxes are 61% lower in Michigan than in New York.
How life is different in Michigan vs. New York
| Michigan | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,037,261 | 19,571,216 |
| Political leaning | Republican 49.7-48.3 | Democratic 60-40 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 14ºF | 16ºF |
| Annual rain | 34" | 44" |
| Annual snow | 64" | 62" |
| Crime index | 19.98 | 21.51 |
- The population of Michigan is approximately 49% lower than the population of New York.
- In the last presidential election, Michigan voted Republican and New York voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Michigan is 81ºF and in New York, it’s 81ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Michigan reaches the temperature of 14ºF and New York gets down to 16ºF.
- You can expect about 34 inches of annual rainfall in Michigan versus 44 inches of rainfall in New York.
- In Michigan, it snows about 64 inches annually versus 62 inches of snow in New York.
- Michigan has a lower crime rate than New York with a crime index of 19.98 vs. 21.51.
Comparing the pros of New York vs. Michigan
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Michigan compared to New York.
| Pros of living in New York | Pros of living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Natural beauty | Scenic beauty |
| Arts | Good higher education |
| Ample economic opportunity | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities | Low cost of living |
| Distinct seasons | Beautiful lakes |
Comparing the cons of living in New York vs. Michigan
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving New York for Michigan.
| Cons of living in New York | Cons of living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| High tax burden | Cold snowy winters |
| Rough winter weather | Spotty economic opportunity |
| High cost of living | Poor transportation infrastructure |
| Poor quality healthcare | Expensive education |
| Populous | Thick accents |
Other things to consider for your New York to Michigan move
- Weather: Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Michigan. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Michigan
While you’re in Michigan, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Mackinac Island
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Henry Ford Museum
- Michigan State Capitol
- University of Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Colonial Michilimackinac
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Windmill Island Gardens
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Detroit Zoo
- Michigan History Center
- Mackinac Bridge
- Soo Locks Boat Tour
- Belle Isle
- Motown Historical Museum
- Michigan’s Adventure
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
- Kitch-iti-Kipi
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from New York to Michigan?
Hiring a full-service New York moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from New York to Michigan?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from New York to Michigan separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from New York to Michigan?
The main reasons people are moving from New York to Michigan are the amazing upsides of living in Michigan such as scenic beauty and good higher education.
Is it cheaper to live in New York or Michigan?
It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in New York. Housing is much more affordable in Michigan, with average rent about 31% less and home prices 49.1% lower than in New York. Taxes are also lower in Michigan, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by New York residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Michigan?
You should make approximately $50,530 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Michigan. The cost of living in Michigan is approximately $2,304 per month for an individual and $4,053 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Michigan you live For example, larger cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
