Mississippi to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 1,008 mile interstate move from Mississippi to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs arid climate), food & health (like Catfish vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (antebellum, colonial 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 Catfish and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 68% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
- Rent in New Mexico is 0.50% more affordable than in Mississippi
- Moving from Mississippi to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Mississippi to New Mexico movers is JP Moving
Mississippi to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to New Mexico
- High humidity
- Limited outdoor recreation
- Tornadoes
- Arid climate
- Abundant hiking trails
- Mild seasons
- Less diverse food scene
- Higher living expenses
- Fewer local events
- Southern cuisine
- Lower cost of living
- Cultural festivals
Pros of moving from Mississippi to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to an arid climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor recreation and moving to New Mexico with abundant hiking trails
- Swap the tornadoes of Mississippi for mild seasons in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Mississippi to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Southern cuisine in Mississippi to live with a less diverse food scene in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living expenses
- Time to bid farewell to cultural festivals and get used to fewer local events in New Mexico
Mississippi vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Mississippi | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Catfish | Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Breakfast Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Calabacitas |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Mississippi to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Tamales, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo 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 Mississippi eateries like Doe's Eat Place, City Grocery, and Walker's Drive-In. 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 Pinto.
When comparing lifestyles, New Mexico shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico, compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and New Mexico
Comparison | Mississippi | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Colonial | Pueblo, Territorial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, quiet neighborhoods | Mountain views, energy efficiency |
- The Antebellum and Colonial architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Mexico is more walkable than Mississippi.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
- New Mexico has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
- New Mexico housing costs are 68% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Mississippiβs $178,490.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
- Rent in New Mexico is 0.50% more affordable than in Mississippi.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and New Mexico
Comparison | Mississippi | 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 | Thunderstorms, Hurricanes | Wildfires, Droughts |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F/70Β°F | 92Β°F/64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55Β°F/35Β°F | 49Β°F/23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 59 inches | 13.9 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 inch | 22 inches |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Mississippi to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 29% more sunshine days than Mississippi.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Mississippi.
- Say goodbye to the possible thunderstorms and hurricanes in Mississippi, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and droughts in New Mexico.
- The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 1 degree warmer than in Mississippi.
- The average winter lows in New Mexico are 12 degrees colder than they are in Mississippi.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 45.1 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and New Mexico
Comparison | Mississippi | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 5% | 1.7% - 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.81% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.07% | 7.82% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Mining, Government, Retail Trade |
Affluence | Modest | Average |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 13% more than those in Mississippi
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Mississippi
- The state income tax in NM is 1.7% to 5.9% compared to 3% to 5% in MS
- The affluence in New Mexico is average compared to modest in Mississippi
- The poverty level is moderate in New Mexico compared to high in Mississippi
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and moderate in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. New Mexico
Comparison | Mississippi | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Highly Religious, Predominantly Christian | Less Religious, Diverse Religious Practices |
- Mississippi 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 less Religious and Diverse Religious Practices
- Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly Religious and Predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to New Mexico
Comparison | Mississippi | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mannsdale Upper Elementary (Madison) Oak Park Elementary (Ocean Springs) Madison Station Elementary (Madison) | Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque) S.Y. Jackson Elementary (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Madison Middle School (Madison) Lewisburg Middle School (Olive Branch) Ocean Springs Middle School (Ocean Springs) | Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Lincoln Middle School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 High Schools | Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs) Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch) Madison Central High School (Madison) | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) Los Alamos High School (Los Alamos) |
Top 3 private high schools | Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Jackson Academy (Jackson) Hillcrest Christian School (Jackson) French Camp Academy (French Camp) | Bosque School (Albuquerque) Menaul School (Albuquerque) Rio Grande School (Santa Fe) |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison County School District Petal School District Ocean Springs School District | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools |
How Much Do Mississippi to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 1,008 miles from Mississippi 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: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,774 | 300 ft3 | $5.91 |
1 Bedroom | $2,638 | 450 ft3 | $5.86 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,360 | 750 ft3 | $5.81 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,339 | 1100 ft3 | $5.76 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,141 | 1600 ft3 | $5.71 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,194 | 1800 ft3 | $5.66 |
Top Mississippi to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.