Colorado to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 406 mile interstate move from Colorado to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs New Mexico Green Chile), real estate & housing (mountain and modern vs pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for New Mexico Green Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in New Mexico is 32.78% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to New Mexico will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to New Mexico movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to New Mexico
- Higher cost of living
- Overcrowded trails
- Chilly winters
- Traffic congestion
- High altitude effects
- Lower cost of living
- Less crowded nature spots
- Milder winters
- Less traffic
- Lower altitude comfort
- Limited cultural events
- Fewer snow activities
- Fewer craft breweries
- Lacks Colorado's mountains
- Smaller job market
- Vibrant cultural scenes
- Snow sports availability
- Abundant breweries
- Rocky Mountain views
- Diverse job market
Pros of moving from Colorado to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from overcrowded trails and moving to New Mexico with less crowded nature spots
- Swap the chilly winters of Colorado for milder winters in New Mexico
- Get ready for less traffic in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Colorado to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant cultural scenes in Colorado to live with limited cultural events in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of snow sports availability and have to settle for the con of fewer snow activities
- Time to bid farewell to abundant breweries and get used to fewer craft breweries in New Mexico
- Swap Rocky Mountain views for the lack of Colorado's mountains
Colorado vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | New Mexico Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Bean Tostadas |
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 Colorado to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious New Mexico Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Bean Tostadas of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Frasca Food and Wine, Beau Joβs Pizza, and The Buckhorn Exchange. 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 Modelo, and Frontier Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, New Mexico shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and New Mexico
Comparison | Colorado | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain and Modern | Pueblo Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, outdoor activities | Cultural heritage, landscapes |
- The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo Revival architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and outdoor activities, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like cultural heritage and landscapes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Mexico is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Mexico is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- New Mexico housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased 56% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in New Mexico is 32.78% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and New Mexico
Comparison | Colorado | 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 | Snowstorms, Wildfires | Wildfires, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Urban vs Rural) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/55Β°F | 92Β°F/64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F/18Β°F | 52Β°F/24Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 13.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 67.6 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Colorado to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 14% more sunshine days than Colorado.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and wildfires in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and floods in New Mexico.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 7 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 1.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and New Mexico
Comparison | Colorado | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 4.63% | 1.7% - 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.49% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% | 5.125% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Agriculture | Mining, Aerospace, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Lower | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 33% less than those in Colorado
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in NM is 1.7% - 5.9% compared to 4.63% in CO
- The affluence in New Mexico is lower compared to moderate affluence in Colorado
- The poverty level is higher in New Mexico compared to lower poverty in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and high in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. New Mexico
Comparison | Colorado | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural influences | Significant Spanish and Native American influence |
Religion | Moderately religious, diverse faiths | More religious, predominantly Catholic |
- Colorado tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- New Mexico's religious environment can be described as more religious and predominantly Catholic
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as moderately religious and diverse faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to New Mexico
Comparison | Colorado | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver Cory Elementary - Denver Slavens K-8 School - Denver | Double Eagle Elementary - Albuquerque Georgia OβKeeffe Elementary - Albuquerque La Cueva High - Albuquerque |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Denver School of the Arts - Denver Challenge School - Denver McAuliffe International School - Denver | Desert Ridge Middle - Albuquerque Lincoln Middle - Rio Rancho Sidney Gutierrez Middle - Roswell |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cherry Creek High - Greenwood Village Fairview High - Boulder Denver School of the Arts - Denver | La Cueva High - Albuquerque Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science - Albuquerque Cottonwood Classical Prep - Albuquerque |
Top 3 private high schools | The Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs Kent Denver School - Englewood Fountain Valley School - Colorado Springs | Albuquerque Academy - Albuquerque Santa Fe Preparatory School - Santa Fe Bosque School - Albuquerque |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Colorado Academy - Denver St. Mary's Academy - Englewood Vail Mountain School - Vail | Albuquerque Academy - Albuquerque Bosque School - Albuquerque Santa Fe Waldorf School - Santa Fe |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Denver Public Schools | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools |
How Much Do Colorado to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 406 miles from Colorado 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: 2-9.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,433 | 300 ft3 | $4.78 |
1 Bedroom | $2,126 | 450 ft3 | $4.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,507 | 750 ft3 | $4.68 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,088 | 1100 ft3 | $4.63 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,321 | 1600 ft3 | $4.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,146 | 1800 ft3 | $4.53 |
Top Colorado to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Movemasters, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Colorado to New Mexico