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New Jersey to New Mexico Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 1,884 mile interstate move from New Jersey to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Pork Roll vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Roll and Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
  • New Mexico housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
  • Rent in New Mexico is 44.44% more affordable than in New Jersey
  • Moving from New Jersey to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended New Jersey to New Mexico movers is Big G Movers, INC

New Jersey to New Mexico Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to New Mexico

ConsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • High property taxes
  • Dense population
  • Heavy traffic
  • Costly utilities
ProsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Lower housing costs
  • More open space
  • Less congestion
  • Affordable energy

New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Longer travel distances
  • Hot, dry climate
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited job opportunities
New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Close to NYC
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Diverse culture
  • Strong job market

Pros of moving from New Jersey to New Mexico

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower housing costs
  • Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to New Mexico with more open space
  • Swap the heavy traffic of New Jersey for less congestion in New Mexico
  • Get ready for affordable energy in New Mexico

Cons of moving from New Jersey to New Mexico

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close to NYC in New Jersey to live with longer travel distances in New Mexico
  • You'll lose out on the pro of four distinct seasons and have to settle for the con of a hot, dry climate
  • Time to bid farewell to a diverse culture and get used to fewer cultural events in New Mexico
  • Swap a strong job market for limited job opportunities

New Jersey vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew JerseyNew Mexico
Most iconic local food itemPork RollGreen Chile
Most popular meat dishTaylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese SandwichCarne Adovada
Most popular street food itemItalian Hot DogsBreakfast Burritos
Most popular vegan foodVegetable SamosasBlue Corn Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Don's Original
  • Razza Pizza Artigianale
  • Highlawn Pavilion
  • 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 New Jersey to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich & sumptuous Italian Hot Dogs, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Samosas 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 New Jersey eateries like Don's Original, Razza Pizza Artigianale, and Highlawn Pavilion. 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 New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and New Mexico

ComparisonNew JerseyNew Mexico
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian, ColonialPueblo, 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 listingProximity to NYC, great schoolsScenic views, outdoor activities
  • The Victorian and Colonial architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
  • Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and great schools, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and outdoor activities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Mexico is less walkable than New Jersey.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Mexico is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
  • New Mexico has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
  • New Mexico housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to New Jersey’s $512,908.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
  • Rent in New Mexico is 44.44% more affordable than in New Jersey.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and New Mexico

ComparisonNew JerseyNew 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 DisastersHurricanes, Nor'eastersWildfires, Floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F92Β°F / 64Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 25Β°F49Β°F / 23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4714
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2311
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 36% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
  • New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, 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 7 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
  • The average winter lows in New Mexico are 2 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 33 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and New Mexico

ComparisonNew JerseyNew Mexico
Avg. Household Income$96,346$59,726
Cost of Living Index129.796.45
State Income Tax1.4 - 10.751.7 - 5.9
Avg. Property Tax2.420.80
Avg. Sales Tax6.607.83
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Pharma, TechOil & Gas, Tourism, Aerospace
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowHigh
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 38% less than in New Jersey
  • The COLI in New Mexico will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
  • The state income tax in NM is 1.7 to 5.9 compared to 1.4 to 10.75 in NJ
  • The affluence in New Mexico is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
  • The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to low in New Jersey
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and high in New Mexico

Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. New Mexico

ComparisonNew JerseyNew Mexico
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsDiverse with strong local governanceCommunity-oriented with significant local involvement
ReligionChristian, Jewish, Muslim communitiesChristian, Native American spiritual practices
  • New Jersey tends to lean Democratic 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 Christian and Native American spiritual practices
  • New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities

Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to New Mexico

ComparisonNew JerseyNew Mexico
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Rutgers University
Princeton University
The College of New Jersey
The University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLittlebrook Elementary School (Princeton)
Waldorf School of Princeton (Princeton)
Princeton Charter School (Princeton)
Double Eagle Elementary School (Albuquerque)
Wood Gormley Elementary School (Santa Fe)
Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor)
Community Middle School (Plainsboro)
Princeton Charter School (Princeton)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque)
Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell)
Jefferson Middle School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 High SchoolsHigh Technology High School (Lincroft)
Bergen County Academies (Hackensack)
Princeton High School (Princeton)
La Cueva High School (Albuquerque)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque)
Cottonwood Classical Prep (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Newark Academy (Livingston)
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe)
Bosque School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pennington School (Pennington)
Princeton Day School (Princeton)
Morristown-Beard School (Morristown)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
Santa Fe Waldorf School (Santa Fe)
Menaul School (Albuquerque)
Top 3 School DistrictsPrinceton Public Schools
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
Millburn Township Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools

How Much Do New Jersey to New Mexico Movers Cost?

Moving 1,884 miles from New Jersey to New Mexico will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,271300 ft3$7.57
1 Bedroom$3,383450 ft3$7.52
2 Bedrooms$5,601750 ft3$7.47
3 Bedrooms$8,1601100 ft3$7.42
4 Bedrooms$11,7901600 ft3$7.37
5+ Bedrooms$13,1731800 ft3$7.32

Top New Jersey to New Mexico Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

Best moving company overall for New Jersey to New Mexico

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details

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