Arizona to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 427 mile interstate move from Arizona to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer temperatures vs moderate climate), food & health (like Navajo Taco vs New Mexico Chile), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs pueblo, territorial style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Navajo Taco and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for New Mexico Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in New Mexico is 28.82% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to New Mexico will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to New Mexico movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to New Mexico
- High summer temperatures
- Limited cultural diversity
- Expensive utilities
- Overcrowded cities
- Moderate climate
- Rich cultural heritage
- Affordable living costs
- Less traffic congestion
- Occasional storms
- Job market still evolving
- Quieter evening scene
- Fewer culinary options
- Abundant sunshine
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant nightlife
- Wide range of cuisines
Pros of moving from Arizona to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to high summer temperatures and hello to a moderate climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to New Mexico with a rich cultural heritage
- Swap the expensive utilities of Arizona for affordable living costs in New Mexico
- Get ready for less traffic congestion in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Arizona to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from abundant sunshine in Arizona to live with occasional storms in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving job market and have to settle for the con of a job market still evolving
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to a quieter evening scene in New Mexico
- Swap a wide range of cuisines for fewer culinary options
Arizona vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Navajo Taco | New Mexico Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Chimichanga | Breakfast Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Scramble | Blue Corn Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
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
Comparison | Arizona | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Pueblo, Territorial Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Swimming pools, desert landscapes | Adobe-style homes, natural landscapes |
- 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 Arizonaβs $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
Comparison | Arizona | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Dust Storms | Wildfires, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F / 75Β°F | 92Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 49Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 14 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 22 |
- 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
Comparison | Arizona | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% - 4.50% | 1.70% - 5.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 0.78% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.37% | 7.83% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tourism, and Electronics | Mining, Oil & Gas, and Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- 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
Comparison | Arizona | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative | Slightly Liberal |
Local Politics | Varies by Region | Varies by Region |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with significant non-religious populations | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities present |
- 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
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to New Mexico
Comparison | Arizona | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Basis Chandler (Chandler) Benchmark School (Phoenix) | Manzano Day School (Albuquerque) Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque) Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) | Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque School of Excellence (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Peoria (Peoria) | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (Albuquerque) Cottonwood Classical Prep (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) Bosque School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Los Alamos Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools |
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.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,445 | 300 ft3 | $4.82 |
1 Bedroom | $2,144 | 450 ft3 | $4.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,536 | 750 ft3 | $4.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,132 | 1100 ft3 | $4.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,384 | 1600 ft3 | $4.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,217 | 1800 ft3 | $4.57 |
Top Arizona to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to New Mexico