Movers

New Mexico to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,062 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert climate vs four seasons), food & health (like Green Chile vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Idaho Trout
  • Idaho housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
  • Rent in Idaho is 18.59% more expensive than in New Mexico
  • Moving from New Mexico to Idaho will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended New Mexico to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company

New Mexico to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Idaho

ConsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Desert climate
  • Limited greenery
  • High crime rates
  • Limited water resources
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Four seasons
  • Lush landscapes
  • Safer communities
  • Ample water supplies

Idaho iconIdaho
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Fewer local dishes
  • Fewer historic landmarks
  • Higher cost of living
New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Rich culture
  • Unique cuisine
  • Historic sites
  • Affordable living

Pros of moving from New Mexico to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to desert climate and hello to four seasons
  • Look forward to moving away from limited greenery and moving to Idaho with lush landscapes
  • Swap the high crime rates of New Mexico for safer communities in Idaho
  • Get ready for ample water supplies in Idaho

Cons of moving from New Mexico to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich culture in New Mexico to live with less cultural diversity in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of unique cuisine and have to settle with the con of fewer local dishes
  • Time to bid farewell to historic sites and get used to fewer historic landmarks in Idaho
  • Swap affordable living for a higher cost of living

New Mexico vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew MexicoIdaho
Most iconic local food itemGreen ChileIdaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishCarne AdovadaIdaho Trout
Most popular street food itemTacosFinger Steaks
Most popular vegan foodBlue Corn EnchiladasQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • El Modelo Mexican Foods
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
  • Frontier Restaurant
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Trout and Finger Steaks 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 Quinoa Salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like El Modelo Mexican Foods, Sadie's of New Mexico, and Frontier Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, The Boise Farmers Market, and State & Lemp.

When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Idaho

ComparisonNew MexicoIdaho
Typical Architecture StylePueblo RevivalCraftsman
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 listingOpen landscapes, art communitiesOutdoor recreation, family-friendly
  • The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference open landscapes and art communities, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor recreation and family-friendly amenities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Idaho is less walkable than New Mexico.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike as Idaho is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
  • Idaho has less of an urban feel than New Mexico.
  • Idaho housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to New Mexico’s $300,227.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
  • Rent in Idaho is 18.59% more expensive than in New Mexico.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Idaho

ComparisonNew MexicoIdaho
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, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88Β°F / 64Β°F85Β°F / 53Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49Β°F / 23Β°F37Β°F / 19Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1418
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2260
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Idaho. Idaho gets 26% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
  • Idaho 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 3 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
  • The average winter lows in Idaho are 4 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Idaho. Idaho receives 4 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Idaho

ComparisonNew MexicoIdaho
Avg. Household Income$59,726$72,785
Cost of Living Index96.4591.5
State Income Tax1.7% - 4.9%1.125% - 6.925%
Avg. Property Tax0.78%0.69%
Avg. Sales Tax5.13%6.02%
Top 3 IndustriesOil and Gas, Tourism, MiningTechnology, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateGrowing
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessPressingManageable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 22% more than in New Mexico
  • The COLI in Idaho is 5% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
  • The state income tax in ID is 1.125% - 6.925% compared to 1.7% - 4.9% in NM
  • The affluence in Idaho is growing compared to moderate affluence in New Mexico
  • The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to high poverty in New Mexico
  • In terms of homelessness, it is pressing in New Mexico and manageable in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Idaho

ComparisonNew MexicoIdaho
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areasConservative, especially in rural areas
ReligionCatholic majorityMormon (LDS) significant presence
  • New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as having a significant Mormon (LDS) presence
  • New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority

Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Idaho

ComparisonNew MexicoIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
New Mexico Tech
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSandia Vista Elementary (Rio Rancho)
Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary (Albuquerque)
Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe)
Longfellow Elementary (Boise)
White Pine Elementary (Boise)
Adams Elementary (Boise)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSidney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science
Desert Ridge Middle (Albuquerque)
North Star Charter (Eagle)
Heritage Middle School (Meridian)
Lakeland Junior High School (Rathdrum)
Top 3 High SchoolsLa Cueva High (Albuquerque)
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory (Albuquerque)
Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science
Renaissance High (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy
Boise High School (Boise)
Top 3 private high schoolsAlbuquerque Academy (Albuquerque)
Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque)
St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Christian School (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsAlbuquerque Academy
Sandia Preparatory School
Bosque School (Albuquerque)
The Ambrose School
Riverstone International School (Boise)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Top 3 School DistrictsLos Alamos Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools
Boise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District

How Much Do New Mexico to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 1,062 miles from New Mexico to Idaho will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,805300 ft3$6.02
1 Bedroom$2,684450 ft3$5.97
2 Bedrooms$4,436750 ft3$5.92
3 Bedrooms$6,4521100 ft3$5.87
4 Bedrooms$9,3041600 ft3$5.82
5+ Bedrooms$10,3771800 ft3$5.77

Top New Mexico to Idaho Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Idaho

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
Top New Mexico to Idaho Routes

Albuquerque to Idaho