New Mexico to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,293 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert landscape vs lush green scenery), food & health (like Green Chile vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs mid-century modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Minnesota is 22.33% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
New Mexico to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Minnesota
- Desert landscape
- Extreme summer heat
- Limited water bodies
- Fewer diverse job markets
- Lush green scenery
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Abundant lakes and rivers
- Strong economic opportunities
- Harsher winter conditions
- Higher cost of living
- Mosquitoes in summer
- More crowded cities
- Rich cultural heritage
- Unique cuisine
- Fewer bugs
- Low population density
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to desert landscape and hello to lush green scenery
- Look forward to moving away from extreme summer heat and moving to Minnesota with cooler summer temperatures
- Swap the limited water bodies of New Mexico for abundant lakes and rivers in Minnesota
- Get ready for strong economic opportunities in Minnesota
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural heritage in New Mexico to live with harsher winter conditions in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique cuisine and have to settle for the con of higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to fewer bugs and get used to mosquitoes in summer in Minnesota
- Swap low population density for more crowded cities
New Mexico vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Wild Rice Burger |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy 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 Wild Rice Burger of Minnesota. 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 Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, The Walleye Diner, and The Bachelor Farmer.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Minnesota
Comparison | New Mexico | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Mid-Century Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Land Size | Lakeside, Green Spaces |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Mid-Century Modern architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and land size, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakesides and green spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Minnesota housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Minnesota is 22.33% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Minnesota
Comparison | New Mexico | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F/64Β°F | 83Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F/23Β°F | 23Β°F/7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 54 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 29% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Minnesota 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 blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 5 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 18 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Minnesota
Comparison | New Mexico | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 9.8% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 1.1% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.8% | 7.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Oil & Gas, Tourism | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 38% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in MN is 9.8% compared to 5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Mexico and low in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Minnesota
Comparison | New Mexico | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State, with a recent lean towards Democratic |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on local governance | Active community participation in local politics |
Religion | High Catholic Population | Mixed, with a significant Lutheran presence |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a recent lean towards Democratic
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as mixed with a significant Lutheran presence
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a high Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Minnesota
Comparison | New Mexico | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wood Gormley Elementary Santa Fe; Double Eagle Elementary Albuquerque; Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary Albuquerque | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka; Greenwood Elementary Plymouth; Creek Valley Elementary Edina |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle Albuquerque; Lincoln Middle Rio Rancho; Sidney Gutierrez Middle Roswell | Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth; Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Eden Prairie Central Middle School Eden Prairie |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High Albuquerque; Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science Albuquerque; Rio Rancho High Rio Rancho | Eden Prairie High School Eden Prairie; Wayzata High Plymouth; Minnetonka High School Minnetonka |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; Bosque School Albuquerque | Breck School Golden Valley; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul; Blake School Minneapolis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; Bosque School Albuquerque | Breck School Golden Valley; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul; Blake School Minneapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | Rio Rancho Public Schools Los Alamos Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools | Edina Public Schools Minnetonka Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,293 miles from New Mexico to Minnesota 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: 4-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,936 | 300 ft3 | $6.45 |
1 Bedroom | $2,881 | 450 ft3 | $6.40 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,764 | 750 ft3 | $6.35 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,932 | 1100 ft3 | $6.30 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,003 | 1600 ft3 | $6.25 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,163 | 1800 ft3 | $6.20 |
Top New Mexico to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.