New Mexico to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 432 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high wind levels vs more stable weather), food & health (like New Mexico Chile vs Sonoran Dog), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs spanish colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to New Mexico Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Dog & Navajo-Churro Lamb
- Arizona housing costs are 44% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Arizona is 40.49% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Arizona will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
New Mexico to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Arizona
- High wind levels
- Limited job options
- Fewer urban amenities
- Dry, arid climate
- Far from large cities
- More stable weather
- Booming job market
- Rich cultural scene
- More diverse climates
- Proximity to Phoenix
- Less local arts focus
- Higher living costs
- Less varied landscapes
- Fewer historical sites
- Increased traffic issues
- Unique culture and art
- Low cost of living
- Stunning natural scenery
- Historic landmarks
- Less traffic congestion
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Arizona
- Say goodbye to high wind levels and hello to more stable weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited job options and moving to Arizona with a booming job market
- Swap the fewer urban amenities of New Mexico for a rich cultural scene in Arizona
- Get ready for more diverse climates in Arizona
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from unique culture and art in New Mexico to live with less local arts focus in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living costs
- Time to bid farewell to stunning natural scenery and get used to less varied landscapes in Arizona
- Swap historic landmarks for fewer historical sites
New Mexico vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | New Mexico Chile | Sonoran Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Navajo-Churro Lamb |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Elote |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Vegan Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Arizona, you will be trading the iconic New Mexico Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Sonoran Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Arizona residents know they have tasty Navajo-Churro Lamb and Elote to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blue Corn Enchiladas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Santa CafΓ©, Frontier Restaurant, and El Modelo. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Durant's, and Elote CafΓ©.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Arizona
Comparison | New Mexico | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Spanish Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious kitchens, outdoor living spaces | Energy efficiency, smart homes |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious kitchens and outdoor living spaces, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and smart homes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Arizona is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Arizona is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Arizona housing costs are 44% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased 63% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Arizona is 40.49% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Arizona
Comparison | New Mexico | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Dust Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 58Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 0.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Mexico to Arizona. Arizona gets 7% more sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher 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 wildfires and dust storms in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 16 degrees warmer than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Arizona
Comparison | New Mexico | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 5.9% | 2.59% - 4.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.83% | 8.4% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism | Technology, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Medium | Medium |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 25% more than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in Arizona is 5% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.5% compared to 1.7% - 5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Arizona is higher compared to moderate affluence in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to high poverty in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is medium in New Mexico and medium in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Arizona
Comparison | New Mexico | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers, conservative rural areas | Conservative urban centers, liberal pockets in cities |
Religion | Majority Catholic, significant Native American spiritual practices | Majority Protestant, growing non-religious population |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as majority Protestant and a growing non-religious population
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Catholic and significant Native American spiritual practices
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Arizona
Comparison | New Mexico | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Apache Elementary (Farmington) Hubert H Humphrey Elementary (Albuquerque) Onate Elementary (Gallup) | Basis Scottsdale Primary East (Scottsdale) Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Archway Classical Academy (Scottsdale) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell) Taos Middle School (Taos) Jefferson Middle (Albuquerque) | Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (Albuquerque) Early College Academy (Albuquerque) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Peoria (Peoria) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) | Chandler Preparatory Academy (Chandler) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools | Chandler Unified School District Scottsdale Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 432 miles from New Mexico to Arizona will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,447 | 300 ft3 | $4.82 |
1 Bedroom | $2,149 | 450 ft3 | $4.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,543 | 750 ft3 | $4.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,142 | 1100 ft3 | $4.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,399 | 1600 ft3 | $4.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,234 | 1800 ft3 | $4.57 |
Top New Mexico to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Arizona