North Dakota to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,111 mile interstate move from North Dakota to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (ranch, modern vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in New Mexico is 33.46% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to New Mexico movers is JP Moving
North Dakota to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to New Mexico
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural activities
- Rural isolation
- Job market limitations
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Vibrant communities
- Diverse job opportunities
- Higher living expenses
- Busier urban life
- Adjust to new culture
- Desert landscapes
- Low cost of living
- Simpler lifestyle
- Familiar environment
- Open spaces
Pros of moving from North Dakota to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural activities and moving to New Mexico with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the rural isolation of North Dakota for vibrant communities in New Mexico
- Get ready for diverse job opportunities in New Mexico
Cons of moving from North Dakota to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher living expenses in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of a simpler lifestyle and have to settle with the con of a busier urban life
- Time to bid farewell to a familiar environment and get used to adjusting to a new culture in New Mexico
- Swap open spaces for desert landscapes
North Dakota vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Hot Beef Sandwich | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Blue Corn Enchiladas |
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 North Dakota to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Hot Beef Sandwich, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Tacos 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 Enchiladas of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Kroll's Diner, and Space Aliens Grill and Bar. 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 North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico, compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and New Mexico
Comparison | North Dakota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Modern | Pueblo, Territorial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Scenic views, solar panels |
- The Ranch and Modern architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and solar panels.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Mexico is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- New Mexico has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- New Mexico housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in New Mexico is 33.46% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and New Mexico
Comparison | North Dakota | 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, Floods | Wildfires, Flash Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 92Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 2Β°F | 49Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17 | 14 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 39% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota, 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 10 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and New Mexico
Comparison | North Dakota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 2.90% | 4.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.05% | 0.78% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.86% | 7.82% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Technology | Tourism, Mining, Film Production |
Affluence | Comfortable | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 17% less than those in North Dakota
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in NM is 4.90% compared to 2.90% in ND
- The affluence in New Mexico is moderate compared to comfortable in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in New Mexico compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and noticeable in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. New Mexico
Comparison | North Dakota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative on most issues | Progressive on many issues |
Religion | Christianity dominates | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence |
- North Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- New Mexico's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Catholic presence
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to New Mexico
Comparison | North Dakota | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Centennial Elementary (Fargo) | Sydney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (Albuquerque) Turquoise Trail Charter School (Santa Fe) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) | Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Charter School (Roswell) Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 High Schools | Fargo North High School (Fargo) Century High School (Bismarck) Davies High School (Fargo) | Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (Albuquerque) La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School (Fargo) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Minot Ryan High School (Minot) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismarck) | Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) The Bosque School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public School District West Fargo Public School District Bismarck Public School District | Albuquerque Public Schools Las Cruces Public Schools Santa Fe Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 1,111 miles from North Dakota 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 | $1,832 | 300 ft3 | $6.11 |
1 Bedroom | $2,726 | 450 ft3 | $6.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,506 | 750 ft3 | $6.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,554 | 1100 ft3 | $5.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,452 | 1600 ft3 | $5.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,544 | 1800 ft3 | $5.86 |
Top North Dakota to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.