New Mexico to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 1,642 mile interstate move from New Mexico to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dry climate vs milder weather), food & health (like Green Chile vs Pulled pork BBQ), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled pork BBQ & Eastern Style BBQ
- North Carolina housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in North Carolina is 27.16% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to North Carolina will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
New Mexico to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to North Carolina
- Dry climate
- Limited green spaces
- Rural isolation
- Higher altitudes
- Limited cuisine diversity
- Milder weather
- Lush landscapes
- Urban opportunities
- Sea level living
- Rich food culture
- Higher expenses
- Hurricanes & storms
- Fewer spicy options
- Humidity discomfort
- Busier cities
- Low cost of living
- Rich cultural history
- Unique Southwestern cuisine
- Stunning sunsets
- Quiet rural life
Pros of moving from New Mexico to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to dry climate and hello to milder weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited green spaces and moving to North Carolina with lush landscapes
- Swap the rural isolation of New Mexico for urban opportunities in North Carolina
- Get ready for sea level living in North Carolina
Cons of moving from New Mexico to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low cost of living in New Mexico to live with higher expenses in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural history and have to settle with the con of hurricanes and storms
- Time to bid farewell to unique Southwestern cuisine and get used to fewer spicy options in North Carolina
- Swap stunning sunsets for humidity discomfort
New Mexico vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Pulled pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Eastern Style BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Carolina Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Collard Greens |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern Style BBQ and Carolina Hot Dog 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 Collard Greens of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Frontier Restaurant, El Modelo, and Sadie's of New Mexico. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Skylight Inn BBQ, and Buxton Hall Barbecue.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and North Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Mountain views, Adobe homes | Proximity to parks, Hardwood floors |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and adobe homes, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and hardwood floors.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- North Carolina housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased 63% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in North Carolina is 27.16% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and North Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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, Droughts | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 89Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 54Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13.9" | 50.3" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22" | 4" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 24% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- North Carolina has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and droughts in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 3 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows in North Carolina are 9 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina, as it receives 36.4 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and North Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 1.7-5.9 | 5.25 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78 | 0.85 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.125 | 6.98 |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Tourism, Agriculture | Technology, Tobacco, Financial Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 13% more than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 1% lower than what you are used to in New Mexico
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25 compared to 1.7 to 5.9 in NM
- The affluence in North Carolina is high compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Mexico and low in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. North Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Democratic | Battleground state, with a mix of Democratic and Republican leanings |
Local Politics | Progressive in larger cities like Albuquerque | Varies widely; liberal in urban areas like Raleigh, conservative in rural regions |
Religion | Largely Catholic with a significant Native American cultural influence | Mix of Protestant denominations, heavily influenced by the Bible Belt culture |
- New Mexico tends to lean traditionally Democratic in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a battleground state with a mix of Democratic and Republican leanings
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as a mix of Protestant denominations, heavily influenced by Bible Belt culture
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic with a significant Native American cultural influence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to North Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sydney G. Mendoza Elementary Clinton P. Anderson Elementary Wood Gormley Elementary | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy Endhaven Elementary Providence Spring Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science Sidney Gutierrez Middle School Desert Ridge Middle School | Community House Middle School Jay M. Robinson Middle School Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy |
Top 3 High Schools | Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science La Cueva High School Eldorado High School | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Raleigh Charter High School Providence High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy Sandia Preparatory School Santa Fe Preparatory School | Charlotte Latin School Durham Academy Cary Academy |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Menaul School Bosque School Sandia Preparatory School | Providence Day School Charlotte Country Day School Cary Academy |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 1,642 miles from New Mexico to North Carolina 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,133 | 300 ft3 | $7.11 |
1 Bedroom | $3,178 | 450 ft3 | $7.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,258 | 750 ft3 | $7.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,657 | 1100 ft3 | $6.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,058 | 1600 ft3 | $6.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,350 | 1800 ft3 | $6.86 |
Top New Mexico to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for New Mexico to North Carolina