New Mexico to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,299 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited water resources vs abundant rainfall), food & health (like Green Chile vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Mexico), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Chicken & Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich
- Kentucky housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Kentucky is 3.89% more affordable than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Kentucky movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Kentucky
- Limited water resources
- Hot desert climate
- High altitude areas
- Isolated locations
- Minimal green landscapes
- Abundant rainfall
- Mild seasonal temperatures
- Lowlands and rolling hills
- Vibrant city life
- Lush greenery
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited regional cuisine
- Lack of desert vistas
- Higher living costs
- Limited desert activities
- Rich cultural history
- Unique southwestern cuisine
- Stunning desert landscapes
- Cost of living low
- Outdoor recreation
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to limited water resources and hello to abundant rainfall
- Look forward to moving away from a hot desert climate and moving to Kentucky with mild seasonal temperatures
- Swap the high altitude areas of New Mexico for lowlands and rolling hills in Kentucky
- Get ready for vibrant city life in Kentucky
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural history in New Mexico to live with less cultural diversity in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique southwestern cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited regional cuisine
- Time to bid farewell to stunning desert landscapes and get used to a lack of desert vistas in Kentucky
- Swap a low cost of living for higher living costs
New Mexico vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Barbecue Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Bean Burgers |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich and Barbecue Pork Sandwich 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 Bean Burgers of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like La Onda, Sadie's of New Mexico, and El Modelo. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Mammy's Kitchen, and Joella's Hot Chicken.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Kentucky
Comparison | New Mexico | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open spaces, Mountain views | Large backyards, Proximity to parks |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference open spaces and mountain views, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large backyards and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Kentucky is more walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Kentucky housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Kentucky is 3.89% more affordable than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Kentucky
Comparison | New Mexico | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 43Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 inches | 45 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 inches | 22 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 30% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Kentucky 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 tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 1 degree colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 31 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Kentucky
Comparison | New Mexico | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% to 5.9% | 2% to 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.13% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Noticeable | Significant |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 1% less than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 9% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in KY is 2% to 6% compared to 1.7% to 5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is significant in Kentucky compared to noticeable in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in New Mexico and concerning in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Kentucky
Comparison | New Mexico | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse representation | Conservative lean |
Religion | Catholic majority | Protestant majority |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as a Protestant majority
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Kentucky
Comparison | New Mexico | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | New Mexico State University University of New Mexico New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Synergy Charter School (Las Cruces) Desert Willow Family School (Albuquerque) New Mexico International School (Albuquerque) | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary (Louisville) Mann Elementary (Union) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Beechwood Middle School (Fort Mitchell) Meyzeek Middle School (Louisville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Young Womenβs Leadership Academy (Albuquerque) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) North Oldham High School (Goshen) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Trinity High School (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Bosque School (Albuquerque) Menaul School (Albuquerque) Desert Academy (Santa Fe) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Alamogordo Public Schools | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Oldham County Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 1,299 miles from New Mexico to Kentucky will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,939 | 300 ft3 | $6.46 |
1 Bedroom | $2,886 | 450 ft3 | $6.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,772 | 750 ft3 | $6.36 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,944 | 1100 ft3 | $6.31 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,021 | 1600 ft3 | $6.26 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,184 | 1800 ft3 | $6.21 |
Top New Mexico to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.