New Mexico to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 1,643 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert climate vs four distinct seasons), food & health (like Green Chile vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (pueblo style vs colonial style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Virginia Ham & Country Ham Biscuits
- Virginia housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Virginia is 34.37% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Virginia will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
New Mexico to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Virginia
- Desert climate
- Limited job market
- High crime rates
- Few public schools
- Isolated areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Robust economy
- Safer neighborhoods
- Quality education system
- Vibrant communities
- Higher living expenses
- Cultural adjustment
- More urbanization
- Different local customs
- Less emphasis on art
- Low cost of living
- Unique culture
- Beautiful landscapes
- Rich history
- Artistic community
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Virginia
- Say goodbye to desert climate and hello to four distinct seasons
- Look forward to moving away from limited job market and moving to Virginia with robust economy
- Swap the high crime rates of New Mexico for safer neighborhoods in Virginia
- Get ready for quality education system in Virginia
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low cost of living in New Mexico to live with higher living expenses in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique culture and have to settle for the con of cultural adjustment
- Time to bid farewell to beautiful landscapes and get used to more urbanization in Virginia
- Swap rich history for different local customs
New Mexico vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Virginia Ham |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Country Ham Biscuits |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Oyster Po'Boy |
Most popular vegan food | Calabacitas | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham Biscuits and Oyster Po'Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Calabacitas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Virginia. 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 Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L'Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Full Kee Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Virginia
Comparison | New Mexico | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Style | Colonial Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Proximity to schools, historic sites |
- The Pueblo Style architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Style architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to schools and historic sites.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Virginia has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Virginia housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Virginia is 34.37% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Virginia
Comparison | New Mexico | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Very High | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86Β°F / 53Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 48Β°F / 20Β°F | 48Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13.9 | 42.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 26 | 10-20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Virginia. Virginia gets 27% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Virginia 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 tornadoes in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 1 degree warmer than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Virginia. Virginia receives 28.8 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Virginia
Comparison | New Mexico | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 1.7-5.9% | 2-5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.78% | 0.82% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.13% | 5.3%-7% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Government | Government, Defense, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | High | Lower |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 44% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Virginia is 0% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in VA is 2-5.75% compared to 1.7-5.9% in NM
- The affluence in Virginia is higher compared to moderate affluence in New Mexico
- The poverty level is lower in Virginia compared to high poverty in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and less visible in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Virginia
Comparison | New Mexico | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | High Hispanic Influence | Diverse Regional Politics |
Religion | Strong Catholic Presence | Mixed; Evangelical Christians in Rural Areas |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as mixed and Evangelical Christians in rural areas
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a strong Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Virginia
Comparison | New Mexico | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | Virginia Tech University of Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Academy del Sol Albuquerque; Pinon Elementary Santa Fe; Apache Elementary Farmington | Nottingham Elementary Arlington; Lucketts Elementary Leesburg; Springfield Estates Springfield |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Desert Ridge Middle School Albuquerque; Sidney Gutierrez Middle School Roswell; Lincoln Middle School Rio Rancho | Longfellow Middle School Falls Church; Frost Middle School Fairfax; Henley Middle School Crozet |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High School Albuquerque; Arrowhead Park Early College High School Las Cruces; V. Sue Cleveland High School Rio Rancho | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Alexandria; Langley High School McLean; McLean High School McLean |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque; Santa Fe Prep Santa Fe; Bosque School Albuquerque | Thomas Jefferson School Alexandria; Norfolk Academy Norfolk; St. Christopher's School Richmond |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque; Bosque School Albuquerque; Rio Grande School Santa Fe | The Potomac School McLean; Norfolk Academy Norfolk; Collegiate School Richmond |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools; Rio Rancho Public Schools; Farmington Municipal Schools | Falls Church City Public Schools; Loudoun County Public Schools; Fairfax County Public Schools |
How Much Do New Mexico to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 1,643 miles from New Mexico to Virginia 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,134 | 300 ft3 | $7.11 |
1 Bedroom | $3,178 | 450 ft3 | $7.06 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,260 | 750 ft3 | $7.01 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,659 | 1100 ft3 | $6.96 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,061 | 1600 ft3 | $6.91 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,354 | 1800 ft3 | $6.86 |
Top New Mexico to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.