New Mexico to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

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
- Desert climate
- Limited greenery
- High crime rates
- Limited water resources
- Four seasons
- Lush landscapes
- Safer communities
- Ample water supplies
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer local dishes
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Higher cost of living
- 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
Comparison | New Mexico | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Idaho Trout |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Quinoa Salad |
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 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
Comparison | New Mexico | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open landscapes, art communities | Outdoor 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 Mexicoβs $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
Comparison | New Mexico | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 85Β°F / 53Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 37Β°F / 19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 18 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 60 |
- 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
Comparison | New Mexico | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 4.9% | 1.125% - 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.13% | 6.02% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Mining | Technology, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Pressing | Manageable |
- 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
Comparison | New Mexico | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative, especially in rural areas |
Religion | Catholic majority | Mormon (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
Comparison | New Mexico | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Sandia Vista Elementary (Rio Rancho) Georgia OβKeeffe Elementary (Albuquerque) Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) White Pine Elementary (Boise) Adams Elementary (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney 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 Schools | La 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 schools | Albuquerque 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 schools | Albuquerque Academy Sandia Preparatory School Bosque School (Albuquerque) | The Ambrose School Riverstone International School (Boise) North Idaho Christian School (Hayden) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,805 | 300 ft3 | $6.02 |
1 Bedroom | $2,684 | 450 ft3 | $5.97 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,436 | 750 ft3 | $5.92 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,452 | 1100 ft3 | $5.87 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,304 | 1600 ft3 | $5.82 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,377 | 1800 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.