New Mexico to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 930 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like less diverse landscapes vs more green spaces), food & health (like Green Chile vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs prairie style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Iowa), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Iowa is 20.68% more affordable than New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
New Mexico to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Iowa
- Less diverse landscapes
- Higher altitude
- Limited rainfall
- Hot summers
- High UV index
- More green spaces
- Lower altitude
- Ample rainfall
- Mild summers
- Lower UV index
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer local dishes
- Cold winters
- Less historical richness
- Fewer outdoor activities
- Cultural diversity
- Unique cuisine
- Warm winter climate
- Rich history
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Iowa
- Say goodbye to less diverse landscapes and hello to more green spaces
- Look forward to moving away from higher altitude and moving to Iowa with lower altitude
- Swap the limited rainfall of New Mexico for ample rainfall in Iowa
- Get ready for mild summers in Iowa
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in New Mexico to live with less cultural diversity in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer local dishes
- Time to bid farewell to a warm winter climate and get used to cold winters in Iowa
- Swap rich history for less historical richness
New Mexico vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Corn on the Cob |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Deep-Fried Corn Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Tacos | Quinoa Salad |
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 Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Deep-Fried Corn Dog 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 Quinoa Salad of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Santa Fe Grill, Frontier Restaurant, and El Pinto. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger, The Machine Shed, and Amana Colonies.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Iowa, compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Iowa
Comparison | New Mexico | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Prairie Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Outdoor Living | Energy Efficiency, Spacious Yards |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and outdoor living, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious yards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Iowa is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Iowa has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Iowa housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in New Mexico with a median home price of $214,151 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased 36% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Iowa is 20.68% more affordable than New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Iowa
Comparison | New Mexico | Iowa |
---|---|---|
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 | Droughts, Wildfires | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 86Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 31Β°F / 14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13.9" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22" | 31" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Iowa. Iowa gets 27% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Iowa has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible droughts and wildfires in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
- The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 2 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Iowa. Iowa receives 22.1 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Iowa
Comparison | New Mexico | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 4.9% | 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.83% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Finance, Agriculture |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 17% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Iowa will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in IA is 8.53% compared to 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to modest in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and minimal in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Iowa
Comparison | New Mexico | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers, with conservative rural areas | Mix of conservative and liberal views depending on the area |
Religion | Catholic, Protestant | Protestant, Catholic |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as Protestant and Catholic
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Iowa
Comparison | New Mexico | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | 1. University of New Mexico Albuquerque 2. New Mexico State University Las Cruces 3. Eastern New Mexico University Portales | 1. University of Iowa Iowa City 2. Iowa State University Ames 3. University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | 1. Wood Gormley Elementary Santa Fe 2. Sidney Gutierrez Middle Roswell 3. Double Eagle Elementary Albuquerque | 1. Wickham Elementary Coralville 2. Lincoln Elementary Mount Vernon 3. Shimek Elementary Iowa City |
Top 3 Middle Schools | 1. Sidney Gutierrez Middle Roswell 2. Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science Albuquerque 3. Desert Ridge Middle Albuquerque | 1. North Central Junior High Coralville 2. Ames Middle School Ames 3. Northwest Junior High Coralville |
Top 3 High School Schools | 1. Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science Albuquerque 2. La Cueva High Albuquerque 3. Cottonwood Classical Prep Albuquerque | 1. West High School Iowa City 2. Ames High School Ames 3. Pleasant Valley High School Bettendorf |
Top 3 private high schools | 1. Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque 2. Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque 3. Bosque School Albuquerque | 1. Iowa Mennonite School Kalona 2. Scattergood Friends School West Branch 3. Dowling Catholic High School West Des Moines |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | 1. Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque 2. Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque 3. Bosque School Albuquerque | 1. Maharishi School Fairfield 2. Rivermont Collegiate Bettendorf 3. Scattergood Friends School West Branch |
Top 3 School Districts | 1. Los Alamos Public Schools Los Alamos 2. Grady Municipal Schools Grady 3. Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines | 1. Pleasant Valley Community School District Bettendorf 2. Iowa City Community School District Iowa City 3. Ames Community School District Ames |
How Much Do New Mexico to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 930 miles from New Mexico to Iowa will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,730 | 300 ft3 | $5.77 |
1 Bedroom | $2,572 | 450 ft3 | $5.72 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,249 | 750 ft3 | $5.67 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,177 | 1100 ft3 | $5.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,905 | 1600 ft3 | $5.57 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,928 | 1800 ft3 | $5.52 |
Top New Mexico to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Iowa