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New Mexico to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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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

ConsNew Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • Desert climate
  • Limited job market
  • High crime rates
  • Few public schools
  • Isolated areas
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Robust economy
  • Safer neighborhoods
  • Quality education system
  • Vibrant communities

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Higher living expenses
  • Cultural adjustment
  • More urbanization
  • Different local customs
  • Less emphasis on art
New Mexico iconNew Mexico
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoVirginia
Most iconic local food itemGreen ChileVirginia Ham
Most popular meat dishCarne AdovadaCountry Ham Biscuits
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritoOyster Po'Boy
Most popular vegan foodCalabacitasBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Frontier Restaurant
  • El Modelo
  • Sadie's of New Mexico
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonNew MexicoVirginia
Typical Architecture StylePueblo StyleColonial Style
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, mountain viewsProximity 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 Mexico’s $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

ComparisonNew MexicoVirginia
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodsHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityVery HighGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86Β°F / 53Β°F87Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 20Β°F48Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)13.942.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2610-20
  • 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

ComparisonNew MexicoVirginia
Avg. Household Income$59,726$85,873
Cost of Living Index96.4596.6
State Income Tax1.7-5.9%2-5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.78%0.82%
Avg. Sales Tax5.13%5.3%-7%
Top 3 IndustriesOil & Gas, Tourism, GovernmentGovernment, Defense, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyHighLower
HomelessnessNoticeableLess 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

ComparisonNew MexicoVirginia
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsHigh Hispanic InfluenceDiverse Regional Politics
ReligionStrong Catholic PresenceMixed; 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

ComparisonNew MexicoVirginia
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 SchoolsAcademy del Sol
Albuquerque; Pinon Elementary
Santa Fe; Apache Elementary
Farmington
Nottingham Elementary
Arlington; Lucketts Elementary
Leesburg; Springfield Estates
Springfield
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDesert 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 SchoolsLa 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 schoolsAlbuquerque 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 schoolsSandia Preparatory School
Albuquerque; Bosque School
Albuquerque; Rio Grande School
Santa Fe
The Potomac School
McLean; Norfolk Academy
Norfolk; Collegiate School
Richmond
Top 3 School DistrictsLos Alamos Public Schools; Rio Rancho Public Schools; Farmington Municipal SchoolsFalls 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,134300 ft3$7.11
1 Bedroom$3,178450 ft3$7.06
2 Bedrooms$5,260750 ft3$7.01
3 Bedrooms$7,6591100 ft3$6.96
4 Bedrooms$11,0611600 ft3$6.91
5+ Bedrooms$12,3541800 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.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for New Mexico to Virginia

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
JP Moving featured image

JP Moving

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details