Minnesota to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,292 mile interstate move from Minnesota to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Walleye vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Walleye and Hotdish, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in New Mexico is 18.26% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to New Mexico movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to New Mexico
- Harsh winters
- High humidity
- Limited cultural festivals
- High property taxes
- Mild winters
- Low humidity
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Lower property taxes
- Scarcity of water sources
- Less Scandinavian influence
- Limited snow activities
- Lower-rated schools
- Vast lakes and forests
- Rich Scandinavian history
- Abundant snow sports
- High-quality public schools
Pros of moving from Minnesota to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to New Mexico with low humidity
- Swap the limited cultural festivals of Minnesota for a vibrant cultural scene in New Mexico
- Get ready for lower property taxes in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Minnesota to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vast lakes and forests in Minnesota to live with a scarcity of water sources in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich Scandinavian history and have to settle for the con of less Scandinavian influence
- Time to bid farewell to abundant snow sports and get used to limited snow activities in New Mexico
- Swap high-quality public schools for lower-rated schools
Minnesota vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Walleye | Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Hotdish | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Breakfast Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Blue Corn Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Minnesota to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Walleye of Minnesota for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Hotdish and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger 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 Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and The Bachelor Farmer. 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 Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and New Mexico
Comparison | Minnesota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Pueblo, Territorial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside access, Spacious yards | Mountain views, Adobe-style fireplaces |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside access and spacious yards, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and adobe-style fireplaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. New Mexico is less walkable than Minnesota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- New Mexico housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in New Mexico is 18.26% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and New Mexico
Comparison | Minnesota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Wildfires, Flash Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (urban vs rural) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 92Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 49Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.2" | 13.9" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54" | 22" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 41% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, 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 9 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 16.3 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and New Mexico
Comparison | Minnesota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% - 9.85% | 1.7% - 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.875% | 5.125% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Energy, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 27% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in NM is 1.7% - 5.9% compared to 5.35% - 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in New Mexico is moderate compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. New Mexico
Comparison | Minnesota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas, conservative in rural | Liberal in urban areas with significant independent influences |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity dominant, with a notable presence of Native American spiritual beliefs |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as leans Democratic
- New Mexico's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with a notable presence of Native American spiritual beliefs
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to New Mexico
Comparison | Minnesota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minneapolis; Minnesota State University Mankato; St. Cloud State University St. Cloud | University of New Mexico Albuquerque; New Mexico State University Las Cruces; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Stillwater; Yinghua Academy Minneapolis | Arroyo Del Oso Elementary Albuquerque; Double Eagle Elementary Albuquerque; Wood Gormley Elementary Santa Fe |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle Stillwater; Wayzata East Middle School Plymouth | Desert Ridge Middle School Albuquerque; Sidney Gutierrez Middle School Roswell; Jefferson Middle School Albuquerque |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka Senior High Minnetonka; Edina Senior High Edina; Wayzata High Plymouth | Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science Albuquerque; La Cueva High Albuquerque; Cottonwood Classical Prep Albuquerque |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy St. Paul | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Santa Fe Preparatory School Santa Fe; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The International School of Minnesota Eden Prairie; Breck School Golden Valley; Blake School Minneapolis | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Bosque School Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque |
Top 3 School Districts | Wayzata Public Schools Wayzata; Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka; Edina Public Schools Edina | Los Alamos Public Schools Los Alamos; Albuquerque Public Schools Albuquerque; Rio Rancho Public Schools Rio Rancho |
How Much Do Minnesota to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 1,292 miles from Minnesota 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: 4-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,935 | 300 ft3 | $6.45 |
1 Bedroom | $2,880 | 450 ft3 | $6.40 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,762 | 750 ft3 | $6.35 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,930 | 1100 ft3 | $6.30 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,000 | 1600 ft3 | $6.25 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,160 | 1800 ft3 | $6.20 |
Top Minnesota to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.