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North Dakota to New Mexico Moving Guide

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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 featured image

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.

TOP PICK
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to New Mexico

9.39/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

9.30/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.07/10
Exceptional

North Dakota to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to New Mexico

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited cultural activities
  • Rural isolation
  • Job market limitations
ProsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Mild winters
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Vibrant communities
  • Diverse job opportunities

New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Higher living expenses
  • Busier urban life
  • Adjust to new culture
  • Desert landscapes
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNew Mexico
Most iconic local food itemLefseGreen Chile
Most popular meat dishWalleyeCarne Adovada
Most popular street food itemHot Beef SandwichTacos
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerBlue Corn Enchiladas
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 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNew Mexico
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, ModernPueblo, Territorial
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 listingSpacious yards, quiet neighborhoodsScenic 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 Dakota’s $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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNew 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 DisastersBlizzards, FloodsWildfires, Flash Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 57Β°F92Β°F / 64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 2Β°F49Β°F / 23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1714
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4622
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNew Mexico
Avg. Household Income$71,970$59,726
Cost of Living Index95.396.45
State Income Tax2.90%4.90%
Avg. Property Tax1.05%0.78%
Avg. Sales Tax6.86%7.82%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Energy, TechnologyTourism, Mining, Film Production
AffluenceComfortableModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalNoticeable
  • 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNew Mexico
Political Make-upLean RepublicanLean Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative on most issuesProgressive on many issues
ReligionChristianity dominatesDiverse, 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

ComparisonNorth DakotaNew Mexico
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Dakota
Grand Forks; North Dakota State University
Fargo; Minot State University
Minot
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque; New Mexico State University
Las Cruces; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Elementary School
Minot; Centennial Elementary School
Fargo; Lewis and Clark Elementary School
Grand Forks
Coral Community Charter School
Albuquerque; Monte Vista Elementary
Las Cruces; Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary
Albuquerque
Top 3 Middle SchoolsErickson Middle School
Fargo; Horizon Middle School
Bismarck; Discovery Middle School
Grand Forks
Desert Ridge Middle School
Albuquerque; Eisenhower Middle School
Albuquerque; Camino Real Middle School
Las Cruces
Top 3 High SchoolsFargo Davies High School
Fargo; Red River High School
Grand Forks; Bismarck Century High School
Bismarck
La Cueva High School
Albuquerque; Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque; Eldorado High School
Albuquerque
Top 3 private high schoolsShiloh Christian School
Bismarck; Oak Grove Lutheran School
Fargo; Bishop Ryan Catholic School
Minot
Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School
Albuquerque; St. Pius X High School
Albuquerque
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School
Fargo; North Star Academy
Minot; Trinity Christian School
Williston
Bosque School
Albuquerque; Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School
Albuquerque
Top 3 School DistrictsWest Fargo Public Schools; Bismarck Public Schools; Fargo Public SchoolsAlbuquerque Public Schools; Las Cruces Public Schools; Rio Rancho 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,832300 ft3$6.11
1 Bedroom$2,726450 ft3$6.06
2 Bedrooms$4,506750 ft3$6.01
3 Bedrooms$6,5541100 ft3$5.96
4 Bedrooms$9,4521600 ft3$5.91
5+ Bedrooms$10,5441800 ft3$5.86
Top North Dakota to New Mexico Routes

Fargo to New Mexico