Arizona to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to New Mexico

ConsArizona

• Unbearable summer heat
• Rising housing costs
• Urban sprawl
• Heavy traffic congestion
• Smoggy air days
• Monsoon dust storms
• Limited four seasons
• High summer UV
• Crowded popular trails
• Costly lawn watering

ProsNew Mexico

• Cooler high-altitude temps
• Lower housing costs
• Compact historic towns
• Lighter daily traffic
• Clearer mountain air
• Fewer haboob events
• Four-season living options
• Slightly lower UV
• Quieter outdoor spaces
• Xeriscaping embraced widely

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New Mexico

• Slower job growth
• Lower average wages
• No major teams
• Fewer nonstop flights
• Fewer big employers
• Fewer highway options
• Older housing stock
• Fewer large campuses
• Fewer chain options
• No spring training
• Farther from beaches
• Shorter golf season

Arizona

• Fast job growth
• Higher average wages
• Major pro sports
• Abundant flight routes
• Large tech employers
• Extensive freeway network
• Newer master-planned suburbs
• Top research universities
• Shopping and dining variety
• Spring training baseball
• Proximity to California
• Year-round desert golf

Pros of moving from Arizona to New Mexico

• Say goodbye to unbearable summer heat and hello to cooler high-altitude temps
• Look forward to moving away from rising housing costs and moving to New Mexico with lower housing costs
• Swap the urban sprawl of Arizona for compact historic towns in New Mexico
• Get ready for lighter daily traffic in New Mexico

Cons of moving from Arizona to New Mexico

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from fast job growth in Arizona to live with slower job growth in New Mexico
• You'll lose out on the pro of higher average wages and have to settle for the con of lower average wages
• Time to bid farewell to major pro sports and get used to no major teams in New Mexico
• Swap abundant flight routes for fewer nonstop flights

Arizona vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Arizona to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Navajo Taco of Arizona for the equally delicious New Mexico Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Chimichanga, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Blue Corn Tacos of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Durant's, and The Mission. After the boxes are unpacked in New Mexico, don't wait too long before making your way to New Mexico's acclaimed eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, El Pinto, and Frontier Restaurant.

When comparing lifestyles, New Mexico shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Mexico, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Mexico.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and New Mexico

• The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial Style architecture typical of New Mexico.
• Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference swimming pools and desert landscapes, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like adobe-style homes and natural landscapes.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Mexico is less walkable than Arizona.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Mexico is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
• New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
• New Mexico housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Arizona’s $430,827.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
• Rent in New Mexico is 28.82% more affordable than in Arizona.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and New Mexico

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
• New Mexico has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arizona.
• Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and dust storms in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flooding in New Mexico.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 12 degrees colder than in Arizona.
• The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Arizona.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and New Mexico

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 20% less than those in Arizona
• The COLI in New Mexico is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
• The state income tax in NM is 1.70% - 5.90% compared to 2.59% - 4.50% in AZ
• The affluence in New Mexico is moderate compared to moderate in Arizona
• The poverty level is higher in New Mexico compared to moderate in Arizona
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arizona and lower in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. New Mexico

• Arizona tends to lean moderately Conservative in its political climate
• New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as slightly Liberal
• New Mexico's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities present
• Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with significant non-religious populations

How Much Do Arizona to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 427 miles from Arizona to New Mexico will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.