New Mexico to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 496 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like scorching summers vs moderate temperatures), food & health (like Green Chile vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs traditional and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Mexico), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & Smoked Brisket
- Oklahoma housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Oklahoma is 6.77% more affordable than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Oklahoma will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Oklahoma movers is JP Moving
Top New Mexico to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

JP Moving
Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Oklahoma

Serenity Moving Services

Sneedworks
New Mexico to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Oklahoma
- Scorching summers
- Limited job market
- Poor road conditions
- High crime rates
- Moderate temperatures
- Growing economy
- Better infrastructure
- Safer communities
- Less cultural diversity
- Flat terrain
- Rising living costs
- Fewer recreational areas
- Rich culture
- Beautiful landscapes
- Affordability
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to scorching summers and hello to moderate temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Oklahoma with a growing economy
- Swap the poor road conditions of New Mexico for better infrastructure in Oklahoma
- Get ready for safer communities in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich culture in New Mexico to live with less cultural diversity in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
- Time to bid farewell to affordability and get used to rising living costs in Oklahoma
- Swap outdoor activities for fewer recreational areas
New Mexico vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Vegan BBQ |
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Indian Tacos 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 Vegan BBQ of Oklahoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, El Modelo, and Frontier Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemenβs Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Leo's BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Oklahoma compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Oklahoma
Comparison | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Traditional and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Solar Panels | Large Yards, Tornado Shelters |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and solar panels, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and tornado shelters.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oklahoma is less walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Oklahoma is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Oklahoma has less of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 6.77% more affordable than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Oklahoma
Comparison | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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, Flash Floods | Tornadoes, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 94Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 50Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 9 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 18% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Oklahoma has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to possible wildfires and flash floods in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hailstorms in Oklahoma.
- The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 2 degrees warmer than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 22 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Oklahoma
Comparison | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 1.7 - 5.9% | 0.5 - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.82% | 8.97% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Aerospace | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 0% less than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Oklahoma will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in OK is 0.5% - 5% compared to 1.7% - 5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Oklahoma is moderate compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is high in Oklahoma compared to high in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Mexico and low in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of Liberal & Conservative areas | Primarily Conservative areas |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Catholic presence | Evangelical Protestant majority |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as an evangelical Protestant majority
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Oklahoma
Comparison | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Double Eagle Elementary Albuquerque; Lincoln Elementary Gallup; Hubert H Humphrey Elementary Albuquerque | Cascade Elementary Tulsa; Chisholm Elementary Edmond; Russell Dougherty Elementary Edmond |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle Albuquerque; Eisenhower Middle Albuquerque; Sidney Gutierrez Middle Roswell | Whittier Middle Norman; Central Middle Edmond; Sequoyah Middle Edmond |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High Albuquerque; Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science Albuquerque; Cloudcroft High Cloudcroft | Edmond North High Edmond; Norman North High Norman; Booker T. Washington High Tulsa |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; Santa Fe Preparatory School Santa Fe | Holland Hall Tulsa; Casady School Oklahoma City; Bishop McGuinness Catholic High Oklahoma City |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Menaul School Albuquerque; Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; The Bosque School Albuquerque | Heritage Hall Oklahoma City; Cascia Hall Preparatory School Tulsa; Bishop Kelley High School Tulsa |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools | Edmond Public Schools Norman Public Schools Jenks Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Oklahoma Movers Cost?
Moving 496 miles from New Mexico to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,484 | 300 ft3 | $4.95 |
1 Bedroom | $2,203 | 450 ft3 | $4.90 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,634 | 750 ft3 | $4.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,275 | 1100 ft3 | $4.80 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,593 | 1600 ft3 | $4.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,452 | 1800 ft3 | $4.70 |