Montana to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,095 mile interstate move from Montana to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs New Mexico Chile (Red or Green)), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Buffalo Steak, but get your taste buds ready for New Mexico Chile (Red or Green) & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Montana
- Rent in New Mexico is 3.34% more affordable than in Montana
- Moving from Montana to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Montana to New Mexico movers is JP Moving
Montana to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to New Mexico
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural diversity
- Distance from major cities
- Higher cost of living
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural heritage
- Close to Santa Fe and Albuquerque
- Affordable housing options
- Drier and less green
- Potential for traffic in cities
- Hotter summer temperatures
- Desert environments
- Stunning mountain landscapes
- Fewer traffic concerns
- Outdoor recreational activities
- Small town charm
Pros of moving from Montana to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to New Mexico with rich cultural heritage
- Swap the distance from major cities of Montana for close proximity to Santa Fe and Albuquerque in New Mexico
- Get ready for affordable housing options in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Montana to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning mountain landscapes in Montana to live with drier and less green conditions in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of fewer traffic concerns and have to settle for the con of potential traffic in cities
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor recreational activities and get used to hotter summer temperatures in New Mexico
- Swap small-town charm for desert environments
Montana vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Montana | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | New Mexico Chile (Red or Green) |
Most popular meat dish | Buffalo Steak | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Huckleberry Ice Cream | Navajo Taco |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Mushroom Risotto | Calabacitas |
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 Montana to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Montana for the equally delicious New Mexico Chile (Red or Green) of New Mexico. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Buffalo Steak and sumptuous Huckleberry Ice Cream, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Navajo Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Mushroom Risotto 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 Montana eateries like The Montana Club, Cattle Baron Supper Club, and The Burger Dive. After the boxes are unpacked in New Mexico, don't wait too long before making your way to New Mexico's acclaimed eateries like El Pinto, Mary and Tito's Cafe, and Frontier Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, New Mexico shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico, compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and New Mexico
Comparison | Montana | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Pueblo, Territorial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, privacy | Cultural heritage, outdoor activities |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like cultural heritage and outdoor activities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Mexico is more walkable than Montana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Montana.
- New Mexico has more of an urban feel than Montana.
- New Mexico housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Montanaβs $456,199.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
- Rent in New Mexico is 3.34% more affordable than in Montana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and New Mexico
Comparison | Montana | 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 | Snowstorms, Wildfires | Wildfires, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 45Β°F | 92Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 10Β°F | 49Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15 | 14 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Montana to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 49% more sunshine days than Montana.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and wildfires in Montana, 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 12 degrees warmer than in Montana.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 1 fewer inch of rain compared to Montana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and New Mexico
Comparison | Montana | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 6.9% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 0.76% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 5.125% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Tourism | Government, Mining, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 12% less than those in Montana
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
- The state income tax in New Mexico is 5.9% compared to 6.9% in Montana
- The affluence in New Mexico is low compared to moderate affluence in Montana
- The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to moderate poverty in Montana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. New Mexico
Comparison | Montana | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican/Conservative | Lean Democratic/Liberal |
Local Politics | Local governance focuses on land and resource management. | Local issues often center around education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. |
Religion | Christianity dominates; notable presence of Latter-day Saints. | Diverse; higher percentage of Catholic and Native American spiritual practices. |
- Montana tends to lean Republican/Conservative in its political climate
- New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic/Liberal
- New Mexico's religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher percentage of Catholic and Native American spiritual practices
- Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity with a notable presence of Latter-day Saints
Education Guide When Moving from Montana to New Mexico
Comparison | Montana | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Montana State University University of Montana Montana Tech | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chief Joseph Elementary (Bozeman) Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) | Synergy Charter School (Albuquerque) Montessori of the Rio Grande (Albuquerque) Pinon Elementary (Santa Fe) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) Lewis & Clark Middle School (Billings) Washington Middle School (Missoula) | Academy for Technology and the Classics (Santa Fe) Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Sentinel High School (Missoula) | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) Early College Academy (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private high schools | Missoula International School (Missoula) Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings) Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) Bosque School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) Heritage Christian School (Bozeman) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Rio Grande School (Santa Fe) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman School District Missoula County Public Schools Billings Public Schools | Los Alamos Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools |
How Much Do Montana to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 1,095 miles from Montana 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
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,823 | 300 ft3 | $6.08 |
1 Bedroom | $2,712 | 450 ft3 | $6.03 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,483 | 750 ft3 | $5.98 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,520 | 1100 ft3 | $5.93 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,404 | 1600 ft3 | $5.88 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,490 | 1800 ft3 | $5.83 |
Top Montana to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.