Moving to Michigan: utilities and your first-month checklist
Which company serves your new address depends on where in Michigan it is. Each link below goes to that company's own page for starting service. Start it two to three weeks ahead, from the day you get the keys.
Electric companies in Michigan
Detroit and southeast MichiganConsumers Energy
Lower Peninsula outside metro Detroit: Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Kalamazoo, SaginawIndiana Michigan Power
Southwest Michigan (Benton Harbor, Three Rivers)Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO)
Central and western Upper PeninsulaUpper Michigan Energy Resources
Parts of the Upper Peninsula
Natural gas in Michigan
Most of the Lower Peninsula outside metro Detroit (Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Kalamazoo, Jackson)DTE Gas
Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and parts of northern MichiganSEMCO Energy Gas
Port Huron, Battle Creek and parts of the Upper PeninsulaMichigan Gas Utilities
Parts of southern and western Lower Peninsula
Water in Michigan
Usually run by the city, town or county. Search the new address's town name with "water service".
Choosing a supplier
Michigan lets some customers choose who supplies their gas. The wires and pipes stay with the utility. Compare on the state's own page before signing anything a door-to-door seller offers: official shopping page.
Help with the bills
If deposits or bills are a stretch, Michigan runs energy assistance: official assistance page. Ask the utility about deposit waivers too; many waive the deposit with a good payment letter from your old company.
Problems with a utility
The Michigan Public Service Commission regulates utilities in Michigan and takes complaints.
New-resident deadlines in Michigan
- Driver's license: right away, once you become a resident. Official page
- Car registration and title: right away, once you become a resident. Official page
- Michigan driver license office
- Register to vote in Michigan
From the state's own websites, checked October 2026. Deadlines can change; check the official page before you rely on one.
Your first month in a new state
- USPS: change your address: Start mail forwarding up to 30 days early. The real site is usps.com.
- Your new state's motor vehicle office: Driver's license, registration and title. Most states set a short deadline after you move, so check yours first.
- Register to vote: Routes you to the official registration for the new state.
- Medicaid, if you have it: Medicaid doesn't move with you. You apply again in the new state.
- Health insurance: A permanent move can open a special enrollment period.
- Social Security: Change your address once here; Medicare gets it from Social Security.
Utility companies and service areas checked October 2026. Service areas follow addresses, not county lines exactly: confirm with the company before you book.