Movers

New Mexico to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,490 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer heat vs milder summers), food & health (like Green Chile vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
  • Michigan housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
  • Rent in Michigan is 6.48% more expensive than in New Mexico
  • Moving from New Mexico to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended New Mexico to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

New Mexico to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Michigan

ConsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • High summer heat
  • Limited water bodies
  • Desert landscape
  • Limited snow
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Milder summers
  • Great Lakes access
  • Forested areas
  • Winter sports

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Higher cost of living
  • Less diverse history
  • Long winters
  • Limited chile options
New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Low cost of living
  • Rich cultural history
  • Year-round sunshine
  • Diverse cuisine

Pros of moving from New Mexico to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to high summer heat and hello to milder summers
  • Look forward to moving away from limited water bodies and moving to Michigan with great lakes access
  • Swap the desert landscape of New Mexico for forested areas in Michigan
  • Get ready for winter sports in Michigan

Cons of moving from New Mexico to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in New Mexico to live with the higher cost of living in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural history and have to settle with the con of less diverse history
  • Time to bid farewell to year-round sunshine and get used to long winters in Michigan
  • Swap diverse cuisine for limited chile options

New Mexico vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew MexicoMichigan
Most iconic local food itemGreen ChileCherry Pie
Most popular meat dishCarne AdovadaPasties
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritoConey Dog
Most popular vegan foodCalabacitasLentil Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • El Pinto
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
  • Frontier Restaurant
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • American Coney Island
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from New Mexico to Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Calabacitas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burger of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like El Pinto, Sadie's of New Mexico, and Frontier Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and American Coney Island.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Michigan

ComparisonNew MexicoMichigan
Typical Architecture StylePueblo RevivalColonial Revival
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 listingViews, LandscapingLakeshore, Hardwood Floors
  • The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and landscaping, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeshore and hardwood floors.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than New Mexico.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
  • Michigan housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to New Mexico’s $300,227.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
  • Rent in Michigan is 6.48% more expensive than in New Mexico.

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

ComparisonNew MexicoMichigan
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, FloodsSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88Β°F / 64Β°F81Β°F / 58Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49Β°F / 23Β°F31Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1430-38
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1060-160
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Michigan. Michigan gets 39% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
  • Michigan has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in New Mexico, and be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 7 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
  • The average winter lows in Michigan are 6 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan. Michigan receives 16 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Michigan

ComparisonNew MexicoMichigan
Avg. Household Income$59,726$66,986
Cost of Living Index96.4591.2
State Income Tax5.9%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.74%1.54%
Avg. Sales Tax7.83%6%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, TourismAutomotive, Technology, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessNoticeableVaried
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 12% more than those in New Mexico
  • The COLI in Michigan will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 5.9% in NM
  • The affluence in Michigan is higher compared to moderate in New Mexico
  • The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to high in New Mexico
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and varied in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Michigan

ComparisonNew MexicoMichigan
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsLiberal urban centers; conservative rural areasMixed; varies from conservative rural to liberal urban
ReligionCatholicism predominantChristianity diverse; Protestant and Catholic presence
  • New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as a diverse Christianity with a Protestant and Catholic presence
  • New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a predominant Catholicism

Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Michigan

ComparisonNew MexicoMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsDouble Eagle Elementary - Albuquerque
Wood Gormley Elementary - Santa Fe
Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary - Albuquerque
Bates Elementary - Dexter
Hamilton Elementary - Troy
Winchester Elementary - Northville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDesert Ridge Middle - Albuquerque
Sidney Gutierrez Middle - Roswell
Lincoln Middle - Rio Rancho
Boulan Park Middle - Troy
West Middle - Rochester Hills
East Middle - Plymouth
Top 3 High School SchoolsLa Cueva High - Albuquerque
Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science
Rio Rancho High - Rio Rancho
International Academy - Bloomfield Hills
Troy High School - Troy
Pioneer High - Ann Arbor
Top 3 private high schoolsAlbuquerque Academy - Albuquerque
Sandia Preparatory School - Albuquerque
Bosque School - Albuquerque
Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills
Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills
The Roeper School - Bloomfield Hills
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsAmy Biehl Community School - Santa Fe
Menaul School - Albuquerque
Monte del Sol Charter School - Santa Fe
Roeper School - Birmingham
Greenhills School - Ann Arbor
Cranbrook - Bloomfield Hills
Top 3 School DistrictsLos Alamos Public Schools
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Farmington Municipal Schools
Northville Public Schools
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Okemos Public Schools

How Much Do New Mexico to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 1,490 miles from New Mexico to Michigan will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,047300 ft3$6.82
1 Bedroom$3,048450 ft3$6.77
2 Bedrooms$5,043750 ft3$6.72
3 Bedrooms$7,3411100 ft3$6.67
4 Bedrooms$10,5981600 ft3$6.62
5+ Bedrooms$11,8331800 ft3$6.57

Top New Mexico to Michigan Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details