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Kentucky to New Mexico Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 1,305 mile interstate move from Kentucky to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited public transit vs efficient bus systems), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Mexico), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
  • New Mexico housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in New Mexico is 4.05% more expensive than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to New Mexico movers is JP Moving

Kentucky to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to New Mexico

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Limited public transit
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer art scenes
  • Less diverse cuisine
ProsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Efficient bus systems
  • Warmer climate
  • Vibrant cultural events
  • Rich culinary options

New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Arid and dry climate
  • Higher cost of living
  • Fewer green spaces
  • Longer travel distances
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Peaceful community
  • Rich history
  • Low traffic congestion

Pros of moving from Kentucky to New Mexico

  • Say goodbye to limited public transit and hello to efficient bus systems
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to New Mexico with a warmer climate
  • Swap the fewer art scenes of Kentucky for vibrant cultural events in New Mexico
  • Get ready for rich culinary options in New Mexico

Cons of moving from Kentucky to New Mexico

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Kentucky to live with an arid and dry climate in New Mexico
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a peaceful community and have to settle with the con of a higher cost of living
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer green spaces in New Mexico
  • Swap low traffic congestion for longer travel distances

Kentucky vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckyNew Mexico
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenGreen Chile
Most popular meat dishBurgooCarne Adovada
Most popular street food itemHot Brown SandwichBreakfast Burrito
Most popular vegan foodKentucky Soybean BBQCalabacitas
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
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 Kentucky to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Soybean BBQ 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 Kentucky eateries like Corbett's An American Place, Ramsi's Cafe on the World, and The Brown Hotel (Home of the Hot Brown). After the boxes are unpacked in New Mexico, don't wait too long before making your way to New Mexico's acclaimed eateries like Frontier Restaurant, Sadie's of New Mexico, and El Modelo Mexican Foods.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and New Mexico

ComparisonKentuckyNew Mexico
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodPueblo, 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 listingSpacious backyards, hardwood floorsVigas, kiva fireplaces
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and hardwood floors, 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 Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • New Mexico has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • New Mexico housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in New Mexico is 4.05% more expensive than in Kentucky.

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

ComparisonKentuckyNew 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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsWildfires, Floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F92Β°F / 64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 23Β°F49Β°F / 23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"14"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)22"28"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 44% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, 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 Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows in New Mexico are 0 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 36 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and New Mexico

ComparisonKentuckyNew Mexico
Avg. Household Income$59,341$59,726
Cost of Living Index87.896.45
State Income Tax5.01.7 - 5.9
Avg. Property Tax0.850.78
Avg. Sales Tax6.07.8
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AgricultureEnergy, Tourism, Government
AffluenceModerateMixed
PovertyWidespreadSignificant
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 1% more than those in Kentucky
  • The COLI in New Mexico will be 10% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • The state income tax in NM is 1.7 to 5.9 compared to 5.0 in KY
  • The affluence in New Mexico is mixed compared to moderate in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is significant in New Mexico compared to widespread in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and moderate in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. New Mexico

ComparisonKentuckyNew Mexico
Political Make-upLean conservativeLean liberal
Local PoliticsStrong Republican presence in rural areasDiverse political representation with a strong Democratic presence
ReligionChristian majority (Evangelical Protestant)Mixed religious landscape with Catholic majority
  • Kentucky tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as leaning liberal
  • New Mexico's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape with a Catholic majority
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority (Evangelical Protestant)

Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to New Mexico

ComparisonKentuckyNew Mexico
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRosa Parks Elementary (Lexington)
Anchorage Public (Anchorage)
Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell)
Sydney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell)
Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque)
Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBeechwood High School (Fort Mitchell)
Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas)
Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque)
Sidney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell)
Desert Ridge Middle (Albuquerque)
Top 3 High School SchoolsDuPont Manual High (Louisville)
Highlands High (Fort Thomas)
Beechwood High (Fort Mitchell)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque)
La Cueva High (Albuquerque)
Cottonwood Classical Prep (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private high schoolsKentucky Country Day School (Louisville)
Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)
Lexington Catholic High (Lexington)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Lexington School (Lexington)
Sayre School (Lexington)
Christian Academy of Louisville (Louisville)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Bosque School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 School DistrictsFayette County Public Schools
Jefferson County Public Schools
Oldham County Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools

How Much Do Kentucky to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 1,305 miles from Kentucky to New Mexico will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,942300 ft3$6.47
1 Bedroom$2,891450 ft3$6.42
2 Bedrooms$4,781750 ft3$6.37
3 Bedrooms$6,9571100 ft3$6.32
4 Bedrooms$10,0391600 ft3$6.27
5+ Bedrooms$11,2041800 ft3$6.22

Top Kentucky to New Mexico Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to New Mexico

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Move Relocation Services featured image

Smooth Move Relocation Services

9.10/10
ExceptionalView details

Louisville to New Mexico

Lexington to New Mexico