New Mexico to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,756 mile interstate move from New Mexico to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high desert climate vs mild, four-season weather), food & health (like Green Chile vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs victorian and colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 106% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in DC is 76.15% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
New Mexico to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to DC
- High desert climate
- Limited public transit
- Few cultural institutions
- Rural living
- Sparse job market
- Mild, four-season weather
- Extensive public transport
- Rich cultural scene
- Urban opportunities
- Diverse job market
- High cost of living
- Urban congestion
- Less natural beauty
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Less community feel
- Affordable living
- Wide-open spaces
- Stunning landscapes
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Local charm
Pros of moving from New Mexico to DC
- Say goodbye to high desert climate and hello to mild four-season weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to DC with extensive public transport
- Swap the few cultural institutions of New Mexico for a rich cultural scene in DC
- Get ready for urban opportunities in DC
Cons of moving from New Mexico to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable living in New Mexico to live with a high cost of living in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of wide-open spaces and have to settle with the con of urban congestion
- Time to bid farewell to stunning landscapes and get used to less natural beauty in DC
- Swap a relaxed lifestyle for a fast-paced lifestyle
New Mexico vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Navajo Taco | Jumbo Slice Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Tacos | Falafel |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Navajo Taco, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Jumbo Slice Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blue Corn Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Falafel of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Frontier Restaurant, Sadie's of New Mexico, and El Pinto. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and DC
Comparison | New Mexico | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Victorian and Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, spacious backyards | Proximity to public transportation, historic details |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and spacious backyards, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transportation and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- DC has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- DC housing costs are 106% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in DC is 76.15% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and DC
Comparison | New Mexico | DC |
---|---|---|
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, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 88Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 47Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.1" | 39.7" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23.8" | 15.4" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to DC. DC gets 28% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- DC 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 snowstorms in DC.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is the same as New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 24.6 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and DC
Comparison | New Mexico | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 4.9% | 4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.79% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.8% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Aerospace | Government, Education, Health Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Notable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 69% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in DC will be 45% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in DC is 4% to 10.75% compared to 1.7% to 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in New Mexico and notable in DC
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. DC
Comparison | New Mexico | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural interests | Urban, with emphasis on federal government |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with significant Catholic presence | Diverse, Christianity prevalent but overall more secular |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- DC's religious environment can be described as diverse, with Christianity prevalent but overall more secular
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant, with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to DC
Comparison | New Mexico | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) S.Y. Jackson Elementary (Albuquerque) Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque) | Janney Elementary (Washington) Mann Elementary (Washington) Eaton Elementary (Washington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle (Albuquerque) Lincoln Middle (Rio Rancho) Sidney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell) | Deal Middle School (Washington) Hardy Middle School (Washington) Alice Deal Middle School (Washington) |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) Rio Rancho High (Rio Rancho) | School Without Walls High School (Washington) Banneker High School (Washington) McKinley Technology High School (Washington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Day School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Day School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Hobbs Municipal Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools Georgetown Day School Sidwell Friends School |
How Much Do New Mexico to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 1,756 miles from New Mexico to DC 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,198 | 300 ft3 | $7.33 |
1 Bedroom | $3,275 | 450 ft3 | $7.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,420 | 750 ft3 | $7.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,894 | 1100 ft3 | $7.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,403 | 1600 ft3 | $7.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,738 | 1800 ft3 | $7.08 |
Top New Mexico to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.