New Mexico to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 2,352 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert climate vs four seasons), food & health (like Green Chile vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs new england colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster Stew
- Maine housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Maine is 33.36% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Maine will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Maine movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Maine
- Desert climate
- Limited water resources
- Hot summers
- Dust storms
- Fewer coastal areas
- Four seasons
- Plentiful water
- Moderate summers
- Clean air
- Coastal access
- Less cultural diversity
- Long winters
- Higher cost of living
- Different food tastes
- Fewer art events
- Rich cultural heritage
- Sunny days
- Low cost of living
- Unique cuisine
- Artistic community
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Maine
- Say goodbye to desert climate and hello to four seasons
- Look forward to moving away from limited water resources and moving to Maine with plentiful water
- Swap the hot summers of New Mexico for moderate summers in Maine
- Get ready for clean air in Maine
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural heritage in New Mexico to live with less cultural diversity in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of sunny days and have to settle for the con of long winters
- Time to bid farewell to low cost of living and get used to a higher cost of living in Maine
- Swap unique cuisine for different food tastes
New Mexico vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Lobster Stew |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Italian Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Calabacitas | Wild Blueberry Pie |
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 Maine, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster Stew and Italian Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Calabacitas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Blueberry Pie of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like El Modelo Mexican Foods, Frontier Restaurant, and Sadie's of New Mexico. After the boxes are unpacked in Maine, don't wait too long before making your way to Maine's acclaimed eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Duckfat, and The Lobster Shack at Two Lights.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Maine
Comparison | New Mexico | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | New England Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, mountain views | Ocean proximity, historic homes |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the New England Colonial architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and mountain views, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like ocean proximity and historic homes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maine is more walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Maine is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Maine has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Maine housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Maine is 33.36% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Maine
Comparison | New Mexico | Maine |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86Β°F / 64Β°F | 79Β°F / 58Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 75 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Maine. Maine gets 29% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Maine 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 snowstorms and floods in Maine.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maine is 7 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 31 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Maine
Comparison | New Mexico | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 5.9% | 5.8% - 7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 1.09% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.82% | 5.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Healthcare, Tourism, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Significant | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 16% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Maine is 21% higher than what you are used to in New Mexico
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% - 7.15% compared to 1.7% - 5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Maine is moderate compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in New Mexico and low in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Maine
Comparison | New Mexico | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | High engagement in local issues | Moderate engagement in local issues |
Religion | Mix of Catholic, Protestant, and Native American spiritual practices | Primarily Protestant, with a growing number of non-religious residents |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
- Maine's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, with a growing number of non-religious residents
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Catholic, Protestant, and Native American spiritual practices
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Maine
Comparison | New Mexico | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Apache Elementary (Farmington) Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque) Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) | Cape Elizabeth Elementary (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Elementary (Falmouth) Yarmouth Elementary (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell) Lincoln Middle (Rio Rancho) | Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth) Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth) |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science Rio Rancho High (Rio Rancho) | Falmouth High School (Falmouth) Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth) Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Prep (Santa Fe) | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Hebron Academy (Hebron) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) The Menaul School (Albuquerque) | Waynflete School (Portland) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools | Falmouth Public Schools Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 2,352 miles from New Mexico to Maine will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,536 | 300 ft3 | $8.45 |
1 Bedroom | $3,781 | 450 ft3 | $8.40 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,265 | 750 ft3 | $8.35 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,133 | 1100 ft3 | $8.30 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,205 | 1600 ft3 | $8.25 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,765 | 1800 ft3 | $8.20 |
Top New Mexico to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.