Texas to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 406 mile interstate move from Texas to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (ranch vs pueblo), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Texas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Chicken Fried Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in New Mexico is 19.54% more affordable than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to New Mexico will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Texas to New Mexico movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to New Mexico
- High humidity
- Traffic congestion
- High property taxes
- Urban sprawl
- Dry climate
- Freer roadways
- Lower taxes
- Wide open spaces
- Limited job market
- Smaller urban areas
- Quieter evenings
- No coastlines
- Economic opportunities
- Diverse cities
- Vibrant nightlife
- Proximity to coast
Pros of moving from Texas to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry climate
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to New Mexico with freer roadways
- Swap the high property taxes of Texas for lower taxes in New Mexico
- Get ready for wide open spaces in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Texas to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from economic opportunities in Texas to live with a limited job market in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cities and have to settle with the con of smaller urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to quieter evenings in New Mexico
- Swap proximity to the coast for no coastlines
Texas vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken Fried Steak | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Burritos |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | Calabacitas |
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 Texas to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Chicken Fried Steak and sumptuous Tacos, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Calabacitas of New Mexico. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Vaquero Taquero, and Kemuri Tatsu-ya. After the boxes are unpacked in New Mexico, don't wait too long before making your way to New Mexico's acclaimed eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, Frontier Restaurant, and El Modelo Mexican Foods.
When comparing lifestyles, New Mexico shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Mexico, compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and New Mexico
Comparison | Texas | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Pueblo |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open floor plans, large yards | Views, energy efficiency |
- The Ranch architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and large yards, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like views and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Mexico is more walkable than Texas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Mexico is more bike-friendly than Texas.
- New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Texas.
- New Mexico housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in New Mexico is 19.54% more affordable than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and New Mexico
Comparison | Texas | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Wildfires, Flooding |
Air Quality | Variable/Moderate | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 93/72 | 86/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60/40 | 45/22 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34.92 | 14.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1.6 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Texas to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 20% more sunshine days than Texas.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flooding in New Mexico.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 7 degrees colder than in Texas.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 20.3 fewer inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and New Mexico
Comparison | Texas | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.7% - 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.69% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 7.83% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil & Gas, Technology, Agriculture | Oil & Gas, Tourism, Film |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Notable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 17% less than those in Texas
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
- Bummer... By moving from TX to NM, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.7% - 5.9%
- The affluence in New Mexico is lower compared to moderate affluence in Texas
- The poverty level is higher in New Mexico compared to moderate poverty in Texas
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in Texas and concerning in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. New Mexico
Comparison | Texas | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Traditionally leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, liberal in urban | Liberal in major cities, balanced in rural areas |
Religion | Primarily Christian, notably Evangelical Protestant | Primarily Christian, mix of Catholic & Protestant |
- Texas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally Democratic
- New Mexico's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a mix of Catholic and Protestant
- Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, notably Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to New Mexico
Comparison | Texas | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B. Travis Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Valley View Elementary School (Austin) Carver Elementary School (San Antonio) | Double Eagle Elementary School (Albuquerque) Wood Gormley Elementary School (Santa Fe) La Cueva High (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Renner Middle School (Plano) Coppell Middle School West (Coppell) Fort Settlement Middle School (Sugar Land) | Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Westlake High School (Austin) | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) Episcopal School of Dallas (Dallas) | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Santa Fe Preparatory School (Santa Fe) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Greenhill School (Addison) The Awty International School (Houston) | Bosque School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) The Menaul School (Albuquerque) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Coppell Independent School District Southlake Carroll Independent School District | Los Alamos Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools |
How Much Do Texas to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 406 miles from Texas to New Mexico will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,433 | 300 ft3 | $4.78 |
1 Bedroom | $2,126 | 450 ft3 | $4.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,507 | 750 ft3 | $4.68 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,088 | 1100 ft3 | $4.63 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,321 | 1600 ft3 | $4.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,146 | 1800 ft3 | $4.53 |
Top Texas to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to New Mexico