Illinois to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to New Mexico

ConsIllinois

• High property taxes
• Brutal winter cold
• Muggy summer humidity
• Heavy traffic congestion
• Frequent toll roads
• Flat prairie scenery
• Many gray days
• Lake-effect snowstorms
• Long commute times
• Higher housing costs

ProsNew Mexico

• Lower property taxes
• Milder winter weather
• Dry, low humidity
• Lighter traffic flows
• No toll roads
• Mountain desert vistas
• Abundant sunshine
• No lake-effect snow
• Shorter drive times
• More affordable housing

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New Mexico

• Limited transit systems
• Fewer museum options
• Smaller job market
• Fewer dining choices
• Few large lakes
• No major league teams
• Longer travel connections
• Arid, drought-prone
• High-altitude adjustment
• Services more spread out

Illinois

• Robust public transit
• World-class museums
• Diverse job market
• Big-city dining scene
• Lakefront recreation
• Major league sports
• Central U.S. access
• Lush green landscapes
• Lower elevation living
• Dense nearby amenities

Pros of moving from Illinois to New Mexico

• Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from brutal winter cold and moving to New Mexico with milder winter weather
• Swap the muggy summer humidity of Illinois for dry low humidity in New Mexico
• Get ready for lighter traffic flows in New Mexico

Cons of moving from Illinois to New Mexico

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from robust public transit in Illinois to live with limited transit systems in New Mexico
• You'll lose out on the pro of world-class museums and have to settle for the con of fewer museum options
• Time to bid farewell to a diverse job market and get used to a smaller job market in New Mexico
• Swap a big-city dining scene for fewer dining choices

Illinois vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious New Mexico green chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef and sumptuous hot dogs (Chicago style), New Mexico residents know they have tasty carne adovada and tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago-style vegan pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the calabacitas of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's, Portillo's, and Alinea. 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, Frontier, and El Modelo.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and New Mexico

• The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to Chicago and lake access, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor activities.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Mexico is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• New Mexico housing costs are 16% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in New Mexico is 22.20% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 48% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential droughts and wildfires in New Mexico.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 7 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and New Mexico

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 22% less than those in Illinois
• The COLI in New Mexico will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in NM is 5.90% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in New Mexico is lower compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Illinois and moderate in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. New Mexico

• Illinois tends to lean 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 Catholic, Protestant, and Native American spiritualities
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic/Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, and others

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to New Mexico

How Much Do Illinois to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 1,112 miles from Illinois 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.