New Mexico to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,124 mile interstate move from New Mexico to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like arid climate vs more diverse seasons), food & health (like Green Chile vs Fleischkuekle), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Fleischkuekle & Knoephla Soup
- North Dakota housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in North Dakota is 25.07% more affordable than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to North Dakota movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to North Dakota
- Arid climate
- Limited water resources
- High desert terrain
- Seismic activity
- More diverse seasons
- Abundant lakes and rivers
- Rolling plains and hills
- Less seismic activity
- Cold, harsh winters
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Limited dining options
- Fewer art galleries
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural history
- Varied cuisines
- Santa Fe arts scene
Pros of moving from New Mexico to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to arid climate and hello to more diverse seasons
- Look forward to moving away from limited water resources and moving to North Dakota with abundant lakes and rivers
- Swap the high desert terrain of New Mexico for rolling plains and hills in North Dakota
- Get ready for less seismic activity in North Dakota
Cons of moving from New Mexico to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in New Mexico to live with cold and harsh winters in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical landmarks
- Time to bid farewell to varied cuisines and get used to limited dining options in North Dakota
- Swap Santa Fe arts scene for fewer art galleries
New Mexico vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Walleye on a Stick |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchilada | Bison Berry Bowl |
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 Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Fleischkuekle of North Dakota. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Knoephla Soup and Walleye on a Stick to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blue Corn Enchilada they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Bison Berry Bowl of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like El Modelo, Frontier Restaurant, and Sadie's of New Mexico. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Kroll's Diner, The HoDo, and Sakura Japanese Steak House.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota, compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and North Dakota
Comparison | New Mexico | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Outdoor Space | Energy Efficiency, Spacious Yards |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and outdoor space, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Dakota is less walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Dakota is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- North Dakota has less of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- North Dakota housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in New Mexico with a median home price of $253,395 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in North Dakota is 25.07% more affordable than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and North Dakota
Comparison | New Mexico | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 85Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 28% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- North Dakota 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 snowstorms and floods in North Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 7 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 3 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and North Dakota
Comparison | New Mexico | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.9% | 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 0.99% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.82% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 21% more than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in North Dakota is 1% lower than what you are used to in New Mexico
- The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Mexico and low in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. North Dakota
Comparison | New Mexico | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative with strong local governance |
Religion | Roman Catholic, Protestant | Lutheran, Roman Catholic |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as Lutheran and Roman Catholic
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Roman Catholic and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to North Dakota
Comparison | New Mexico | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Tech | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque) Georgia OβKeeffe Elementary (Albuquerque) Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle (Roswell) Academy for Technology and the Classics (Santa Fe) | Ben Franklin Middle (Fargo) Horizon Middle (Bismarck) Discovery Middle (Fargo) |
Top 3 High Schools | Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (Albuquerque) La Cueva High (Albuquerque) Los Alamos High (Los Alamos) | Fargo North High (Fargo) Century High (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) | Shanley High School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Bosque School (Albuquerque) The Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) | Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Grace Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,124 miles from New Mexico to North Dakota 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,840 | 300 ft3 | $6.13 |
1 Bedroom | $2,737 | 450 ft3 | $6.08 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,524 | 750 ft3 | $6.03 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,581 | 1100 ft3 | $5.98 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,492 | 1600 ft3 | $5.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,588 | 1800 ft3 | $5.88 |
Top New Mexico to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.