Movers

DC to New Mexico Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 1,769 mile interstate move from DC to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce with wings, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
  • New Mexico housing costs are 52% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in New Mexico is 43.23% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended DC to New Mexico movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to New Mexico

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Humid summers
  • Limited mountain views
ProsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Affordable housing
  • Less traffic
  • Dry climate
  • Beautiful landscapes

New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Less cultural variety
  • Limited public transport
  • Quieter evenings
DC iconDC
  • Rich history
  • Diverse culture
  • Extensive public transit
  • Vibrant nightlife

Pros of moving from DC to New Mexico

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to New Mexico with less traffic
  • Swap the humid summers of DC for the dry climate in New Mexico
  • Get ready for beautiful landscapes in New Mexico

Cons of moving from DC to New Mexico

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in DC to live with fewer historic sites in New Mexico
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural variety
  • Time to bid farewell to extensive public transit and get used to limited public transport in New Mexico
  • Swap vibrant nightlife for quieter evenings

DC vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCNew Mexico
Most iconic local food itemHalf-smokeGreen Chile
Most popular meat dishMumbo sauce with wingsCarne Adovada
Most popular street food itemJumbo slice pizzaTacos
Most popular vegan foodVegetable curryBlue Corn Pinon Pancakes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
  • El Modelo
  • Frontier Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’Ŗ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie ScenešŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce with wings and sumptuous Jumbo slice pizza, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable curry they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Blue Corn Pinon Pancakes of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. 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 DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Mexico compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Mexico.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and New Mexico

ComparisonDCNew Mexico
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian, ColonialPueblo, Territorial
WalkabilityšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestylešŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļø
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to metro, Historic charmNatural landscape, Views
  • The Victorian and Colonial architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like natural landscapes and views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Mexico is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Mexico is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • New Mexico has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • New Mexico housing costs are 52% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in New Mexico is 43.23% more affordable than in DC.

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

ComparisonDCNew Mexico
Days of Sunshine per Yearā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļø
Avg. Annual HumidityšŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļø
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsWildfires, Floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)87°F / 71°F92°F / 64°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)47°F / 29°F52°F / 23°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.814.6
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.422
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 38% more sunshine days than DC.
  • New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in DC, 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 5 degrees warmer than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 26.2 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and New Mexico

ComparisonDCNew Mexico
Avg. Household Income$101,027$59,726
Cost of Living Index140.196.45
State Income Tax4% - 9%1.7% - 5.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.78%
Avg. Sales Tax6%5.13% - 8.75%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, HealthOil and Gas, Tourism, Military
AffluenceProsperousModerate
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessConsiderableNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 41% less than those in DC
  • The COLI in New Mexico is 31% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in NM is 1.7% to 5.9% compared to 4% to 9% in DC
  • The affluence in New Mexico is moderate compared to prosperous in DC
  • The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to moderate in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is considerable in DC and noticeable in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. New Mexico

ComparisonDCNew Mexico
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsDC CouncilNew Mexico Legislature
ReligionDiverse; no majorityCatholic majority, with Protestant and Native American religious practices
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • New Mexico's religious environment can be described as a Catholic majority with Protestant and Native American religious practices
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with no majority

Education Guide When Moving from DC to New Mexico

ComparisonDCNew Mexico
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Georgetown University
George Washington University
Howard University
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMann Elementary
Janney Elementary
Eaton Elementary
Double Eagle Elementary
Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary
Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Jefferson Middle School Academy
Desert Ridge Middle School
Eisenhower Middle School
Lincoln Middle School
Top 3 High SchoolsWashington-Liberty High School
School Without Walls High School
Wilson High School
La Cueva High School
Albuquerque Academy
Eldorado High School
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
St. Albans School
Albuquerque Academy
Sandia Preparatory School
Bosque School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
Albuquerque Academy
Sandia Preparatory School
Bosque School
Top 3 School DistrictsDC Public SchoolsAlbuquerque Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Las Cruces Public Schools

How Much Do DC to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 1,769 miles from DC to New Mexico will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,205300 ft3$7.35
1 Bedroom$3,286450 ft3$7.30
2 Bedrooms$5,438750 ft3$7.25
3 Bedrooms$7,9211100 ft3$7.20
4 Bedrooms$11,4421600 ft3$7.15
5+ Bedrooms$12,7821800 ft3$7.10

Top DC to New Mexico Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to New Mexico

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
Top DC to New Mexico Routes

Washington DC to New Mexico