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Michigan to New Mexico Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 1,496 mile interstate move from Michigan to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs pueblo, spanish), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
  • New Mexico housing costs are 25% more expensive than those in Michigan
  • Rent in New Mexico is 6.09% more affordable than in Michigan
  • Moving from Michigan to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Michigan to New Mexico movers is Pro-Low Moving

Michigan to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to New Mexico

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh winters
  • High humidity
  • Fewer sunny days
  • Rust belt economy
ProsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Milder winters
  • Dry climate
  • Plentiful sunshine
  • Growing tech industry

New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Landlocked state
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Predominantly desert landscape
Michigan iconMichigan
  • Great Lakes access
  • Rich cultural history
  • Vibrant fall colors

Pros of moving from Michigan to New Mexico

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to New Mexico with a dry climate
  • Swap the fewer sunny days of Michigan for plentiful sunshine in New Mexico
  • Get ready for a growing tech industry in New Mexico

Cons of moving from Michigan to New Mexico

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great lakes access in Michigan to live in a landlocked state in New Mexico
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural history and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to vibrant fall colors and get used to a predominantly desert landscape in New Mexico

Michigan vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMichiganNew Mexico
Most iconic local food itemPastiesGreen Chile
Most popular meat dishDetroit-style PizzaCarne Adovada
Most popular street food itemConey DogBreakfast Burrito
Most popular vegan foodChickpea SaladCalabacitas
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
  • Frontier Restaurant
  • El Modelo
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 Michigan to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chickpea Salad 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 Michigan eateries like American Coney Island, Slows Bar BQ, and Zingerman's Deli. 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 Restaurant, and El Modelo.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and New Mexico

ComparisonMichiganNew Mexico
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchPueblo, Spanish
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 listingLakefront, GarageMountain Views, Adobe Construction
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Spanish architecture typical of New Mexico.
  • Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront and garage, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and adobe construction.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. New Mexico is less walkable than Michigan.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
  • New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
  • New Mexico housing costs are 25% more expensive than those in Michigan with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Michigan’s $239,770.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
  • Rent in New Mexico is 6.09% more affordable than in Michigan.

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

ComparisonMichiganNew 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 DisastersSnowstorms, FloodingWildfires, Flooding
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)81Β°F/59Β°F92Β°F/64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)32Β°F/18Β°F55Β°F/23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.813.9
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.722.0
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 65% more sunshine days than Michigan.
  • New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and flooding in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flooding in New Mexico.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 11 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
  • The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 18.9 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and New Mexico

ComparisonMichiganNew Mexico
Avg. Household Income$66,986$59,726
Cost of Living Index91.296.45
State Income Tax4.25%4.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.71%0.78%
Avg. Sales Tax6%7.83%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Tourism, TechnologyEnergy, Tourism, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateVariable
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessManageableConcerning
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 11% less than in Michigan
  • The COLI in New Mexico will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
  • The state income tax in NM is 4.9% compared to 4.25% in MI
  • The affluence in New Mexico is variable compared to moderate in Michigan
  • The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to moderate in Michigan
  • In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Michigan and concerning in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. New Mexico

ComparisonMichiganNew Mexico
Political Make-upModerately LiberalLiberal
Local PoliticsMixed, varies by regionMore consistently Democratic
ReligionChristian majority, diverse religious communitiesChristian majority, significant Native American spiritual influence
  • Michigan tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
  • New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • New Mexico's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a significant Native American spiritual influence
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to New Mexico

ComparisonMichiganNew Mexico
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
Eastern New Mexico University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBates Elementary (Dexter)
Spring Mills Elementary (Highland)
Musson Elementary (Rochester)
Pinon Elementary (Santa Fe)
Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque)
Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Middle School (Plymouth)
East Middle School (Farmington Hills)
Boulan Park Middle School (Troy)
Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque)
Eisenhower Middle School (Albuquerque)
Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell)
Top 3 High SchoolsInternational Academy (Bloomfield Hills)
City High Middle School (Grand Rapids)
Troy High School (Troy)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque)
La Cueva High School (Albuquerque)
The ASK Academy (Rio Rancho)
Top 3 private high schoolsDetroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
The Roeper School (Birmingham)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGreenhills School (Ann Arbor)
The Roeper School (Birmingham)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Bosque School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 School DistrictsOakland Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Santa Fe Public Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools

How Much Do Michigan to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 1,496 miles from Michigan to New Mexico will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,051300 ft3$6.84
1 Bedroom$3,053450 ft3$6.79
2 Bedrooms$5,052750 ft3$6.74
3 Bedrooms$7,3541100 ft3$6.69
4 Bedrooms$10,6171600 ft3$6.64
5+ Bedrooms$11,8541800 ft3$6.59

Top Michigan to New Mexico Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Michigan to New Mexico

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details

Detroit to New Mexico

Grand Rapids to New Mexico