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New Mexico to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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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

ConsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • High wind levels
  • Limited job options
  • Fewer urban amenities
  • Dry, arid climate
  • Far from large cities
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • More stable weather
  • Booming job market
  • Rich cultural scene
  • More diverse climates
  • Proximity to Phoenix

Arizona iconArizona
  • Less local arts focus
  • Higher living costs
  • Less varied landscapes
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Increased traffic issues
New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoArizona
Most iconic local food itemNew Mexico ChileSonoran Dog
Most popular meat dishCarne AdovadaNavajo-Churro Lamb
Most popular street food itemTacosElote
Most popular vegan foodBlue Corn EnchiladasVegan Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Santa CafΓ©
  • Frontier Restaurant
  • El Modelo
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonNew MexicoArizona
Typical Architecture StylePueblo RevivalSpanish Colonial
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 kitchens, outdoor living spacesEnergy 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 Mexico’s $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

ComparisonNew MexicoArizona
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 DisastersWildfires, FloodsWildfires, Dust Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88Β°F / 58Β°F104Β°F / 81Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49Β°F / 23Β°F67Β°F / 46Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)148
Annual Snowfall (Inches)280.3
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoArizona
Avg. Household Income$59,726$74,568
Cost of Living Index96.45101.2
State Income Tax1.7% - 5.9%2.59% - 4.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.78%0.66%
Avg. Sales Tax7.83%8.4%
Top 3 IndustriesOil and Gas, Agriculture, TourismTechnology, Healthcare, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessMediumMedium
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoArizona
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsLiberal urban centers, conservative rural areasConservative urban centers, liberal pockets in cities
ReligionMajority Catholic, significant Native American spiritual practicesMajority 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

ComparisonNew MexicoArizona
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 SchoolsApache 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 SchoolsSidney 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 SchoolsLa 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 schoolsAlbuquerque 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 schoolsSandia 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 DistrictsLos 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,447300 ft3$4.82
1 Bedroom$2,149450 ft3$4.77
2 Bedrooms$3,543750 ft3$4.72
3 Bedrooms$5,1421100 ft3$4.67
4 Bedrooms$7,3991600 ft3$4.62
5+ Bedrooms$8,2341800 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.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Arizona

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
New Beginnings Moving Solutions featured image

New Beginnings Moving Solutions

9.32/10
ExceptionalView details