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Idaho to New Mexico Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 1,058 mile interstate move from Idaho to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs New Mexico Chile), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for New Mexico Chile & Carne Adovada
  • New Mexico housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in New Mexico is 15.67% more affordable than in Idaho
  • Moving from Idaho to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Idaho to New Mexico movers is 208 Moving Company

Idaho to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to New Mexico

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Higher property taxes
  • Few outdoor festivals
ProsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Mild climate
  • Rich cultural heritage
  • Lower property taxes
  • Frequent arts festivals

New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Busy urban areas
  • Higher crime rates
  • Higher living costs
  • More transient population
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Rural tranquility
  • Low crime rates
  • Affordable cost of living
  • Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Idaho to New Mexico

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to New Mexico with its rich cultural heritage
  • Swap the higher property taxes of Idaho for lower property taxes in New Mexico
  • Get ready for frequent arts festivals in New Mexico

Cons of moving from Idaho to New Mexico

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rural tranquility in Idaho to live with busy urban areas in New Mexico
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
  • Time to bid farewell to an affordable cost of living and get used to higher living costs in New Mexico
  • Swap close-knit communities for a more transient population

Idaho vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoNew Mexico
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesNew Mexico Chile
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutCarne Adovada
Most popular street food itemLoaded Baked PotatoesTacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladBlue Corn Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • State and Lemp
  • Boise Fry Company
  • The Chocolat Bar
  • El Modelo
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
  • Frontier Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious New Mexico Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Loaded Baked Potatoes, 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 Blue Corn Tacos of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like State and Lemp, Boise Fry Company, and The Chocolat Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in New Mexico, don't wait too long before making your way to New Mexico's acclaimed eateries like El Modelo, Sadie's of New Mexico, and Frontier Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and New Mexico

ComparisonIdahoNew Mexico
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchPueblo, Territorial
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOpen-floor plans, Large yardsVigas, Kiva fireplaces
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings, which commonly reference open floor plans and large yards, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like vigas and kiva fireplaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Mexico is more walkable than Idaho.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • New Mexico has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • New Mexico housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in New Mexico is 15.67% more affordable than in Idaho.

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

ComparisonIdahoNew Mexico
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodsWildfires, Flash Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 50Β°F92Β°F / 64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)34Β°F / 15Β°F49Β°F / 23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)18"14"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60"22"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 36% more sunshine days than Idaho.
  • New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flash floods in New Mexico.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 7 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and New Mexico

ComparisonIdahoNew Mexico
Avg. Household Income$72,785$59,726
Cost of Living Index91.596.45
State Income Tax6.935.9
Avg. Property Tax0.690.55
Avg. Sales Tax6%5.125%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, HealthcareOil & Gas, Tourism, Film
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowHigh
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 18% less than in Idaho
  • The COLI in New Mexico is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in NM is 5.9 compared to 6.93 in ID
  • The affluence in New Mexico is varied compared to moderate in Idaho
  • The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to low in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Idaho and moderate in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. New Mexico

ComparisonIdahoNew Mexico
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsRepublican dominatedDemocratic dominated
ReligionLargely Christian, with significant Mormon populationPrimarily Catholic, with a mix of Protestant and other religions
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • New Mexico's religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic, with a mix of Protestant and other religions
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a significant Mormon population

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to New Mexico

ComparisonIdahoNew Mexico
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsAdams Elementary School (Boise)
Washington Elementary School (Boise)
Roosevelt Elementary School (Boise)
Wood Gormley Elementary School (Santa Fe)
Double Eagle Elementary School (Albuquerque)
Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Junior High School (Boise)
Lakeside Middle School (Plummer)
Heritage Middle School (Meridian)
Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque)
Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Renaissance High School (Meridian)
La Cueva High School (Albuquerque)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque)
Early College Academy (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRiverstone International School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Bosque School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Santa Fe Public Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools

How Much Do Idaho to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 1,058 miles from Idaho to New Mexico will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,802300 ft3$6.01
1 Bedroom$2,681450 ft3$5.96
2 Bedrooms$4,431750 ft3$5.91
3 Bedrooms$6,4431100 ft3$5.86
4 Bedrooms$9,2921600 ft3$5.81
5+ Bedrooms$10,3641800 ft3$5.76

Top Idaho to New Mexico Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to New Mexico

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to New Mexico Routes

Boise to New Mexico