New Mexico to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 509 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high desert heat vs milder summers), food & health (like Green Chile vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs prairie style, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kansas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Kansas is 19.45% more affordable than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Kansas movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Kansas
- High desert heat
- Limited job market
- Dry environment
- Milder summers
- Growing economy
- Abundant greenery
- Fewer cultural sites
- Flat terrain
- Limited food variety
- Rich cultural heritage
- Stunning landscapes
- Unique cuisine
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Kansas
- Say goodbye to high desert heat and hello to milder summers
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Kansas with a growing economy
- Swap the dry environment of New Mexico for abundant greenery in Kansas
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural heritage in New Mexico to live with fewer cultural sites in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of stunning landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
- Time to bid farewell to unique cuisine and get used to a limited food variety in Kansas
New Mexico vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Stuffed Sopapillas | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Stuffed Sopapillas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, El Modelo Mexican Foods, and Frontier Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Lord's Diner, and YaYa's Euro Bistro.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas, compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Kansas
Comparison | New Mexico | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Prairie Style, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, energy efficiency | Spacious backyards, community amenities |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style and Ranch architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and energy efficiency, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and community amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Kansas is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Kansas is similarly bike-friendly to New Mexico.
- Kansas has an equally urban feel to New Mexico.
- Kansas housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Kansas is 19.45% more affordable than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Kansas
Comparison | New Mexico | Kansas |
---|---|---|
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, Flooding | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 91Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 42Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 28 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 19 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Kansas. Kansas gets 18% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Kansas has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 1 degree colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kansas. Kansas receives 14 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Kansas
Comparison | New Mexico | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.9% | 5.7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 1.37% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.83% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Oil and Gas, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Significant | Notable |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Gradual |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 15% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Kansas will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in Kansas is 5.7% compared to 4.9% in New Mexico
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to modest in New Mexico
- The poverty level is notable in Kansas compared to significant in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and gradual in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Kansas
Comparison | New Mexico | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Moderate with progressive urban centers | Conservative, with some progressive pockets in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse spiritual practices | Primarily Christian, with a strong evangelical presence |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
- Kansas's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a strong evangelical presence
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity and diverse spiritual practices
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Kansas
Comparison | New Mexico | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pinon Elementary - Santa Fe Hubert H Humphrey Elementary - Albuquerque Double Eagle Elementary - Albuquerque | Claflin Elementary - Claflin Meadowlark Ridge Elementary - Salina Roosevelt Elementary - Emporia |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney Gutierrez Middle School - Roswell Mountain View Middle School - Rio Rancho Desert Ridge Middle School - Albuquerque | Lakewood Middle School - Overland Park Leawood Middle School - Leawood Prairie Star Middle School - Leawood |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High School - Albuquerque Las Cruces High School - Las Cruces Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science - Albuquerque | Blue Valley North High School - Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High School - Prairie Village Blue Valley High School - Stilwell |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy - Albuquerque Sandia Prep - Albuquerque St. Pius X High School - Albuquerque | Bishop Miege High School - Roeland Park Maur Hill - Mount Academy - Atchison St. Thomas Aquinas High School - Overland Park |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Menaul School - Albuquerque Bosque School - Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque | Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita Holy Cross Lutheran School - Wichita The Independent School - Wichita |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 509 miles from New Mexico to Kansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,491 | 300 ft3 | $4.97 |
1 Bedroom | $2,214 | 450 ft3 | $4.92 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,653 | 750 ft3 | $4.87 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,302 | 1100 ft3 | $4.82 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,632 | 1600 ft3 | $4.77 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,496 | 1800 ft3 | $4.72 |
Top New Mexico to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.