New Mexico to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,090 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high desert heat vs cooler summer temps), food & health (like Green Chile vs Huckleberries), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs mountain rustic), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberries & Bison Steak
- Montana housing costs are 52% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Montana is 3.46% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Montana movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Montana
- High desert heat
- Limited skiing
- Higher crime rates
- Water scarcity
- Fewer green landscapes
- Cooler summer temps
- Abundant skiing spots
- Lower crime rates
- Abundant water bodies
- Lush forests
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited local cuisine
- Harsh winters
- Smaller art community
- Rich cultural heritage
- Authentic Mexican cuisine
- Mild winters
- Vibrant art scene
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Montana
- Say goodbye to high desert heat and hello to cooler summer temps
- Look forward to moving away from limited skiing and moving to Montana with abundant skiing spots
- Swap the higher crime rates of New Mexico for lower crime rates in Montana
- Get ready for abundant water bodies in Montana
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural heritage in New Mexico to live with less cultural diversity in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of authentic Mexican cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited local cuisine
- Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to harsh winters in Montana
- Swap vibrant art scene for a smaller art community
New Mexico vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Huckleberries |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Elk Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Quinoa Salad |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Huckleberries of Montana. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers 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 Quinoa Salad of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Santa Cafe, Frontier Restaurant, and Sadie's of New Mexico. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like 2nd Street Bistro, Bozeman Cider House, and Buck's T-4 Lodge.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana, compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Montana
Comparison | New Mexico | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Mountain Rustic |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Solar panels, xeriscaping | Access to nature, wood stoves |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Rustic architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference solar panels and xeriscaping, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and wood stoves.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Montana housing costs are 52% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased 71% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Montana is 3.46% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Montana
Comparison | New Mexico | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Severe Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Varies, Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 64Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 34Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 inches | 15 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 inches | 90 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Montana. Montana gets 27% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Montana 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 wildfires and severe winter storms in Montana.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 9 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Montana. Montana receives 1 more inch of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Montana
Comparison | New Mexico | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 5.9% | 1% - 6.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.13% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Tourism, Agriculture, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Challenging | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 13% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Montana will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in MT is 1% - 6.9% compared to 1.7% - 5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is challenging in New Mexico and manageable in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Montana
Comparison | New Mexico | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democrat | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative in rural areas |
Religion | Catholic, Protestant | Protestant, Catholic |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democrat in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Montana's religious environment can be described as Protestant and Catholic
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Montana
Comparison | New Mexico | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of Montana Montana State University Montana Tech |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sydney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary (Albuquerque) | Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula) Meadowlark Elementary (Billings) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sydney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Eisenhower Middle School (Albuquerque) | Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman) Washington Middle School (Missoula) Lewis & Clark Middle School (Billings) |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science V. Sue Cleveland High School (Rio Rancho) | Bozeman High School (Bozeman) Hellgate High School (Missoula) Billings West High School (Billings) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) | Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings) Loyola Sacred Heart Catholic High School (Missoula) Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Bosque School (Albuquerque) Menaul School (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Waldorf School (Santa Fe) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools | Bozeman Public Schools Billings Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 1,090 miles from New Mexico to Montana will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,820 | 300 ft3 | $6.07 |
1 Bedroom | $2,708 | 450 ft3 | $6.02 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,476 | 750 ft3 | $5.97 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,510 | 1100 ft3 | $5.92 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,389 | 1600 ft3 | $5.87 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,473 | 1800 ft3 | $5.82 |
Top New Mexico to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.