New Mexico to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,159 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dry climate vs mild, humid weather), food & health (like Green Chile vs Fried Green Tomatoes), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs antebellum and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Green Tomatoes & Barbecue Ribs
- Alabama housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Alabama is 8.21% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Alabama will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
New Mexico to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Alabama
- Dry climate
- Limited job market
- High elevation
- Few sports teams
- Remote locations
- Mild, humid weather
- Growing job opportunities
- Sea-level living
- Sports culture
- Close-knit communities
- Fewer scenic landscapes
- Less cultural diversity
- Traditional Southern food
- Fewer cultural festivals
- Less historical variety
- Scenic landscapes
- Cultural diversity
- Unique cuisine
- Festivals and arts
- Rich history
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Alabama
- Say goodbye to dry climate and hello to mild, humid weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited job market and moving to Alabama with growing job opportunities
- Swap the high elevation of New Mexico for sea-level living in Alabama
- Get ready for sports culture in Alabama
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in New Mexico to live with fewer scenic landscapes in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle with the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to unique cuisine and get used to traditional Southern food in Alabama
- Swap festivals and arts for fewer cultural festivals
New Mexico vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Green Chile Stew (Vegan Version) | Black-Eyed Peas and Collards |
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 New Mexico to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Fried Green Tomatoes of Alabama. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Alabama residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Green Chile Stew (Vegan Version) they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Peas and Collards of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, Frontier Restaurant, and El Modelo Mexican Foods. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Saw's BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Automatic Seafood and Oysters.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Alabama
Comparison | New Mexico | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Antebellum and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, large plots | Historic homes, hardwood floors |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Victorian architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and large plots, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and hardwood floors.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Alabama housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Alabama is 8.21% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Alabama
Comparison | New Mexico | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Floods | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 26Β°F | 57Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 56 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11 | 2 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Alabama. Alabama gets 25% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 3 degrees warmer than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 42 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Alabama
Comparison | New Mexico | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.9% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 0.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.83% | 9.22% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Government | Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Notable | Concerning |
Homelessness | Manageable | Persistent |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 0% less than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Alabama will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in AL is 5% compared to 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in Alabama is modest compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is concerning in Alabama compared to notable in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in New Mexico and persistent in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Alabama
Comparison | New Mexico | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Tends to lean Democratic | Tends to lean Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate with emphasis on local issues | Conservative, strong focus on state rights |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Catholic presence | Primarily Protestant, with a strong Evangelical influence |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a strong Evangelical influence
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Alabama
Comparison | New Mexico | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Double Eagle Elementary - Albuquerque Wood Gormley Elementary - Santa Fe Hubert H Humphrey Elementary - Albuquerque | Mountain Brook Elementary - Mountain Brook Vestavia Hills Elementary West - Vestavia Hills Cherokee Bend Elementary - Mountain Brook |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle School - Albuquerque Sidney Gutierrez Middle School - Roswell Lincoln Middle School - Rio Rancho | Mountain Brook Junior High School - Mountain Brook Berry Middle School - Hoover Liberty Park Middle School - Vestavia Hills |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High School - Albuquerque Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science - Albuquerque Rio Rancho High School - Rio Rancho | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School - Montgomery Mountain Brook High School - Mountain Brook Vestavia Hills High School - Vestavia Hills |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy - Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque Santa Fe Preparatory School - Santa Fe | The Altamont School - Birmingham Randolph School - Huntsville Indian Springs School - Indian Springs |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Hope Christian School - Albuquerque Menaul School - Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque | Madison Academy - Madison The Montgomery Academy - Montgomery The Donoho School - Anniston |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Homewood City Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 1,159 miles from New Mexico to Alabama will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,860 | 300 ft3 | $6.20 |
1 Bedroom | $2,767 | 450 ft3 | $6.15 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,574 | 750 ft3 | $6.10 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,653 | 1100 ft3 | $6.05 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,598 | 1600 ft3 | $6.00 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,707 | 1800 ft3 | $5.95 |
Top New Mexico to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.