New Mexico to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,879 mile interstate move from New Mexico to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert climate vs four seasons), food & health (like Green Chile vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
- New Jersey housing costs are 71% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in New Jersey is 79.97% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
- Our top recommended New Mexico to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Mexico to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to New Jersey
- Desert climate
- Sparse nightlife
- Limited jobs
- Rural areas
- Four seasons
- Vibrant nightlife
- Job opportunities
- Urban amenities
- Higher housing costs
- Urban sprawl
- Population density
- Low cost of living
- Stunning landscapes
- Open spaces
Pros of moving from New Mexico to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to desert climate and hello to four seasons
- Look forward to moving away from sparse nightlife and moving to New Jersey with vibrant nightlife
- Swap the limited jobs of New Mexico for job opportunities in New Jersey
- Get ready for urban amenities in New Jersey
Cons of moving from New Mexico to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in New Mexico to live with higher housing costs in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of stunning landscapes and have to settle for the con of urban sprawl
- Time to bid farewell to open spaces and get used to population density in New Jersey
New Mexico vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Italian Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Atapakua | Vegan Pizza |
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 New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dog and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blue Corn Atapakua they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pizza of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Santa Cafe, Frontier Restaurant, and El Modelo. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Deli, and Razza Pizza Artigianale.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and New Jersey
Comparison | New Mexico | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open landscapes, Natural light | Proximity to NYC, Good schools |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference open landscapes and natural light, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and good schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- New Jersey housing costs are 71% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in New Jersey is 79.97% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and New Jersey
Comparison | New Mexico | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, nor'easters |
Air Quality | Generally good | Variable, urban areas may have pollution |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 40Β°F / 25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13.9" | 47.1" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 23" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 26% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- New Jersey 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 hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 7 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows in New Jersey are 2 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 33.2 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and New Jersey
Comparison | New Mexico | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% - 4.9% | 1.4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 2.49% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.13% | 6.63% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and gas, tourism, aerospace | Finance, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Relatively High | Low |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Managed |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 61% more than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in New Jersey will be 34% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in NJ is 1.4% - 10.75% compared to 1.7% - 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in New Mexico
- The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to relatively high levels in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and managed in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. New Jersey
Comparison | New Mexico | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | High engagement in local issues, such as environmental protection | Diverse local political landscape with strong union influence |
Religion | Majority Catholic, with a significant Native American spiritual presence | Religiously diverse, with significant Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse, with significant Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic, with a significant Native American spiritual presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to New Jersey
Comparison | New Mexico | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Tech | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Double Eagle Elementary Albuquerque; Georgia OβKeeffe Albuquerque; Hubert H Humphrey Albuquerque | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton; Princeton Charter School Princeton; Riverside Elementary Princeton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney Gutierrez Middle Roswell; Mountain View Middle Albuquerque; Desert Ridge Middle Albuquerque | Community Middle School Plainsboro; Thomas R. Grover Middle School Princeton Junction; William Annin Middle School Basking Ridge |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High Albuquerque; Early College Academy Albuquerque; Cottonwood Classical Prep Albuquerque | High Technology High School Lincroft; Bergen County Academies Hackensack; Princeton High School Princeton |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; Santa Fe Preparatory School Santa Fe | Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville; Newark Academy Livingston; The Pingry School Basking Ridge |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; Bosque School Albuquerque | The Pennington School Pennington; Rutgers Preparatory School Somerset; The Pingry School Basking Ridge |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools; Albuquerque Public Schools; Rio Rancho Public Schools | Princeton Public Schools; Millburn Township Schools; Livingston Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 1,879 miles from New Mexico to New Jersey will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,268 | 300 ft3 | $7.56 |
1 Bedroom | $3,379 | 450 ft3 | $7.51 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,594 | 750 ft3 | $7.46 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,150 | 1100 ft3 | $7.41 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,775 | 1600 ft3 | $7.36 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,156 | 1800 ft3 | $7.31 |
Top New Mexico to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Mexico to New Jersey