Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Expect to pay $738–$7,392 for a move from Memphis to Detroit, with most moves taking one to six days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 744 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Detroit to Memphis guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Memphis to Detroit
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Memphis to Detroit can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your TN to MI move
Local moving companies in Memphis
- Bellhop Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Flex Moving & Storage: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- The Armstrong Company: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 3
DOT #: 3610638
Alternate Names: Flex Storage Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons Moving & Storage of Memphis, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: BSTB Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 68
DOT #: 1170867
Alternate Names: Armstrong Transfer & Storage Company, Inc., United Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Memphis to Detroit?
Memphis movers charge $125 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,447 - $5,192 | $904 - $2,169 | $684 - $1,223 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,911 - $7,392 | $1,728 - $3,390 | $738 - $1,481 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,932 - $10,076 | $2,160 - $4,027 | $923 - $1,760 |
Cost to hire movers from Tennessee to Michigan
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Tennessee to Michigan typically costs between $1,447 and $5,192. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $2,911 and $7,392 when moving from TN to MI. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Tennessee to Michigan, you’re looking at costs ranging from $4,932 up to $10,076.
Cost of moving containers from Tennessee to Michigan
If you're moving from Tennessee to Michigan, expect to pay between $904 and $2,169 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,728 up to $3,390. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,160 and $4,027. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Tennessee.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Tennessee to Michigan
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $684 and $1,223. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $738 and $1,481. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $923 up to $1,760 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Memphis to Detroit move
What to know before moving from Memphis to Detroit
Moving from Memphis to Detroit comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Detroit is generally more expensive than Memphis, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Memphis | Detroit | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,299 | $1,250 |
| Average home value | $143,715 | $73,156 |
| Average income (per capita) | $48,090 | $37,761 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,842 | $2,500 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,402 | $6,687 |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 9.06% |
| Sales tax | 9.75% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.25% |
- Rent prices in Detroit are 4% lower than in Memphis, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Detroit.
Home prices in Detroit are 49.1% lower than in Memphis. - Income in Detroit is 21.5% lower than in Memphis, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Detroit — including General Motors, Henry Ford Health System, and American Axle & Manufacturing — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Detroit, since the cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 35.7% higher than in Memphis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Detroit, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 51.9% higher than in Memphis.
- The unemployment rate in Detroit is 13.25% higher than in Memphis.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Detroit, since the city's sales taxes in Detroit are 38.46% lower than in Memphis.
- State income taxes in Detroit are 4.25% higher than in Memphis.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,071.66 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Memphis.
How life is different in Memphis vs. Detroit
| Detroit | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 639,111 | 633,104 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 51 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 52 | 41 |
| Crime Index | 72.92 | 77.49 |
| Safety Index | 27.08 | 22.51 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Detroit and Memphis have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in Michigan easier.
- Detroit offers better access to buses and trains than Memphis, based on public transportation ratings. Detroit has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 4 in Memphis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Detroit means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Memphis. Detroit is considered more walkable than Memphis, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Memphis. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Detroit is considered more bike-friendly than Memphis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Detroit has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, while Memphis is rated as 41 out of 100.
- Detroit has a lower crime rate than Memphis based on scores of 72.92 and Memphis's 77.49, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Detroit than in Memphis, based on Detroit's safety index of 27.08 versus 22.51 for Memphis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Detroit and Memphis is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Memphis vs. Detroit move
- Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Detroit. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Detroit
Now that you've decided to make the move to America's Comeback City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Detroit.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Corktown
- Brush Park
- Woodbridge
- Downtown
- Lafayette Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Sherwood Forest
- Palmer Woods
- University District
- Corktown
- Lafayette Park
Things to do in Detroit
Now that you've made the move to Michigan it's the perfect time to explore Detroit From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Detroit, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit Historical Museum, and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Belle Isle Park, Beacon Park, Palmer Park, and Balduck Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Detriot Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Lions (NFL), or Detroit Pistons (NBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Detroit?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Memphis to Detroit You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Memphis.
When is the cheapest time to move from Memphis to Detroit?
Because spring and fall moves from Memphis to Detroit are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Memphis to Detroit take?
The 744-mile journey from Memphis, TN to Detroit, MI, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Memphis offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Detroit.
