Whether for work, military orders, or personal reasons, more and more people are moving to the Midwestern United States. The Midwest has much to offer: from its quirky food to its slower pace of life to its overall affordable cost of living. My husband and I spent most of our lives in the Midwest until getting stationed on the East Coast with the military. We saw firsthand how our upbringing differed from those in other parts of the US. Midwestern states include:
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Indiana
- Ohio
Keep in mind that this region of the United States includes 10 different states, each with its own unique quirks. However, if you are moving to the Midwest for the first time, here is what you can generally expect to encounter.
Food
Midwestern cuisine is notorious for combining multiple food items into a single dish. From casseroles to salads to desserts, this theme is seen throughout.
Casseroles
In the Midwest, casseroles, also known as hot dishes in some states, are a staple food group.
Someone had a baby? Bring them a casserole!
Got a new neighbor? Bring them a casserole!
Having a family get-together? Bring a casserole!
Casseroles can be main meals or sides. Even desserts are often made in a casserole dish! Typical Midwestern casseroles include:
- Taco Casserole
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cheesy Potato Casserole
Condiments and Sides
Expect to see a lot of ranch and mayonnaise wherever you go. Ranch is added to salads, sandwiches, pizza, mashed potatoes, French fries, and more. Similarly, you will be hard pressed to find a sandwich without mayonnaise. Many salads are also mixed with mayonnaise, including potato salad, pasta salad, and pea salad.
Keep in mind that the term “salad” is used very loosely in the Midwest. A salad can be any variety of cold foods mixed with sauce in a bowl. Salad varieties include lettuce salads, mayo-based salads like those mentioned above, and even sweet salads like mixed fruit covered in whipped topping or yogurt.
Desserts
When I think of Midwestern desserts, three categories stand out the most:
- Scotcheroos-Scotcheroos were one of my favorite childhood desserts. Scotcheroos are Rice Krispie treats mixed with peanut butter instead of marshmallows. They have a chocolate butterscotch layer on top, making them creamy and decadent.
- Layered Desserts-Layered pudding or Jell-O desserts in casserole dishes are also quite common. For instance, banana pudding is a dessert layered with graham cracker crumbs, instant banana pudding, vanilla wafer cookies, sliced bananas, and whipped topping.
- Salads-The third category is for sweet salads. These are often both a side and a dessert. In addition to fruit salads, you will also see desserts like Snickers Salad or Fluff. Snickers Salad is whipped topping, cut-up Snickers bars, instant pudding mix, and diced apples. Fluff, on the other hand, varies greatly but typically includes mini marshmallows, whipped topping, and any combination of fruits or nuts. In case you haven’t noticed the theme yet, dessert salads almost always include fruit.
Change of Pace
If you are moving to the Midwest from the East Coast or West Coast, you will also notice a significantly slower change of pace. Midwesterners are very friendly and enjoy small talk with complete strangers.
When my husband and I moved to the East Coast, we noticed people talked less and smiled less at each other in public. This is more efficient when you are running errands and have places to go. However, in the Midwest, conversation and friendliness are prioritized over efficiency.
There is also a huge focus on family. Many families in small towns stay in the same area they grew up. In my hometown, both sets of grandparents lived within walking distance from our house. We had family get-togethers every Sunday afternoon at my maternal grandparents’ house and went to my paternal grandparents’ several times a week. Additionally, this family focus allows for an excellent work-life balance. People still work hard, but they also come home and prioritize family time when the day is done.
Because so many people stay in the same town they grew up in, they already know everyone in town. It can be difficult for people moving in to make new friends due to the already deeply established friend groups. However, once you find your group, you are treated like family and will be invited to family get-togethers, holiday celebrations, and even vacations together. It wasn’t uncommon to have a few new faces join us during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
One downside to the region is the lack of diversity, especially in smaller towns. You will see a bit more diversity in larger cities like Chicago. The primary population is Christian Caucasians, so if you do not fit into this category, you may feel like you stand out. However, due to their friendly disposition, Midwesterners will be welcoming and show you kindness.
Lower Cost of Living
A huge benefit of moving to the Midwest is the affordable cost of living. Not only will you find affordable homes or other housing options, but you will also see the difference reflected in your daily expenses like buying groceries at the grocery store.
For instance, let’s compare the cost of a buying a home on the East and West Coast. These statistics are from Realtor.com and show the average listing price of homes in February 2025:
- New York, NY-$825,000 total or $814/square foot
- San Francisco, CA-$1.2 Million total or $948/ square foot
- Los Angeles, CA-$1.2 Million total or $718/ square foot
Now, compare that to homes in the Midwest listed on Realtor.com during this same month:
- Chicago, IL-$344,900 total or $264/ square foot
- Columbus, OH-$269,900 total or $194/ square foot
- Omaha, NE-$339,900 total or $172/ square foot
In comparing these coastal cities to Midwestern cities, it is clear to see why so many people want to purchase a new home in the Midwest. You get more bang for your buck. In New York City, you may only be able to afford a studio or one room flat, but in the windy city of Chicago, you could easily triple your square footage for the same cost. Other popular cities in the Midwest include St. Louis, Kansas City, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor.
However, your dollar will stretch even further when moving away from large numbers of people in a big city to rural areas with small towns. By spending less on your basic needs, you can use your income in other ways to boost your overall quality of life.
Is the Midwest for you?
Relocating can be a big decision. Whether you are trying to find the right place to raise a family, or are simply looking for a temporary move for work, consider what important things you want to check off your list. The Midwest has much to offer, from the nice people you will encounter to the affordable housing and overall low cost of living. However, it also has its downsides, such as the lack of diversity. Every location has its positives and negatives, but this should help you make a more informed decision and prepare you for your upcoming move.
Let me know in the comments below what you would like to know about living in the Midwest!