Best overall value
Factors affecting the cost of moving from TX to MI
There are many factors that influence Texas moving costs. The cost to move from Texas 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 Texas 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 TX to MI
If you’re moving to Michigan from Texas, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Texas vs. Michigan
| Texas | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,251 | $1,037 |
| Average home cost | $300,267 | $245,716 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,035 | $68,505 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 92 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.19% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 0.0% | 4.25% |
- Rent is about 17% less expensive in Michigan than in Texas.
- Home prices are about 18% lower in Michigan than in Texas.
- The average income is about 6% lower in Michigan than in Texas.
- Cost of living is 1% lower in Michigan than in Texas.
- Michigan has a higher unemployment rate than Texas by about 15%.
- Sales taxes are 27% lower in Michigan than in Texas.
- Income taxes are 4% higher in Michigan than in Texas.
How life is different in Michigan vs. Texas
| Michigan | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,037,261 | 30,503,301 |
| Political leaning | Republican 49.7-48.3 | Republican 56-44 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 94ºF |
| Winter low | 14ºF | 36ºF |
| Annual rain | 34" | 36" |
| Annual snow | 64" | 2" |
| Crime index | 19.98 | 27.32 |
- The population of Michigan is approximately 67% lower than the population of Texas.
- In the last presidential election, Michigan voted Republican and Texas voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Michigan is 81ºF and in Texas, it’s 94ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Michigan reaches the temperature of 14ºF and Texas gets down to 36ºF.
- You can expect about 34 inches of annual rainfall in Michigan versus 36 inches of rainfall in Texas.
- In Michigan, it snows about 64 inches annually versus 2 inches of snow in Texas.
- Michigan has a lower crime rate than Texas with a crime index of 19.98 vs. 27.32.
Comparing the pros of Texas 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 Texas.
| Pros of living in Texas | Pros of living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Scenic beauty |
| Favorable climate | Good higher education |
| Delicious barbecue | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Low taxes | Low cost of living |
| Privacy and freedom | Beautiful lakes |
Comparing the cons of living in Texas 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 Texas for Michigan.
| Cons of living in Texas | Cons of living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Severe weather | Cold snowy winters |
| Limited healthcare access | Spotty economic opportunity |
| High crime rate | Poor transportation infrastructure |
| Traffic issues | Expensive education |
| Politics | Thick accents |
Other things to consider for your Texas 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 Texas to Michigan?
Hiring a full-service Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas to Michigan separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Texas to Michigan?
The main reasons people are moving from Texas to Michigan are the amazing upsides of living in Michigan such as scenic beauty and good higher education.
Is it cheaper to live in Texas or Michigan?
It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in Texas. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Michigan, with average rent about 17% less and home prices 18.2% lower than in Texas. Texas has no income tax.
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 $3,917 per month for an individual and $6,924 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.
