Wisconsin to New Mexico Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,255 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to New Mexico? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs New Mexico across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs pueblo, territorial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Carne Adovada
- New Mexico housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in New Mexico is 8.95% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to New Mexico will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to New Mexico movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to New Mexico Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to New Mexico
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Job market stagnation
- Limited outdoor activities
- Distance to nature
- Mild climate
- Lower cost of living
- Growing industries
- Diverse landscapes
- Access to hiking
- Arid climate
- Summer heat
- Less fertile soil
- Cultural adjustment
- Spicy cuisine
- Abundant lakes
- Four-season climate
- Rich farming soil
- Familiar communities
- Traditional local food
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to New Mexico
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to New Mexico with lower cost of living
- Swap the job market stagnation of Wisconsin for growing industries in New Mexico
- Get ready for diverse landscapes in New Mexico
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to New Mexico
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from abundant lakes in Wisconsin to live with arid climate in New Mexico
- You'll lose out on the pro of four-season climate and have to settle for the con of summer heat
- Time to bid farewell to rich farming soil and get used to less fertile soil in New Mexico
- Swap familiar communities for cultural adjustment
Wisconsin vs. New Mexico: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Carne Adovada |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Breakfast Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-battered Mushrooms | 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 Wisconsin to New Mexico, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Green Chile of New Mexico. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, New Mexico residents know they have tasty Carne Adovada and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer-battered Mushrooms 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 Wisconsin eateries like Mader's, The Larder, and Fromagination. After the boxes are unpacked in New Mexico, don't wait too long before making your way to New Mexico's acclaimed eateries like Santa Cafe, Frontier Restaurant, and El Modelo.
When comparing lifestyles, New Mexico shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Mexico compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Mexico.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and New Mexico
Comparison | Wisconsin | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Pueblo, Territorial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Green spaces | Mountain views, Outdoor living spaces |
- The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Territorial architecture typical of New Mexico.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and green spaces, New Mexico real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor living spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Mexico is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Mexico is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- New Mexico has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- New Mexico housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $300,227 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Mexico have increased by 56% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in New Mexico is 8.95% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and New Mexico
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Snowstorms, Floods | Wildfires, Dust Storms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 92Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 49Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 14 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to New Mexico. New Mexico gets 49% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- New Mexico has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and dust storms in New Mexico.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Mexico is 10 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Mexico. New Mexico receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and New Mexico
Comparison | Wisconsin | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $59,726 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 96.45 |
State Income Tax | 4.65 | 4.9 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68 | 0.78 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43 | 7.83 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Film |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Mexico tend to earn about 16% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in New Mexico will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in NM is 4.9 compared to 4.65 in WI
- The affluence in New Mexico is varied compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is high in New Mexico compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in New Mexico
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. New Mexico
Comparison | Wisconsin | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground State | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural political interests | Strong emphasis on local governance |
Religion | Christianity predominate, diverse religious communities | Christianity major, significant indigenous spiritual practices |
- Wisconsin tends to lean battleground State in its political climate
- New Mexico, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- New Mexico's religious environment can be described as primarily Christianity with significant indigenous spiritual practices
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to New Mexico
Comparison | Wisconsin | New Mexico |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University Milwaukee | University of New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico State University Las Cruces New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School Madison Woods Elementary Milwaukee Roosevelt Elementary Kenosha | Double Eagle Elementary Albuquerque Sydney Gutierrez Middle Roswell Wood Gormley Elementary Santa Fe |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School Milwaukee Washburn Middle School Washburn Kromrey Middle School Middleton | Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science Albuquerque Sidney Gutierrez Middle School Roswell Desert Ridge Middle School Albuquerque |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookfield East High School Brookfield Whitefish Bay High School Whitefish Bay Madison West High School Madison | La Cueva High School Albuquerque Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science Albuquerque Rio Rancho High School Rio Rancho |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University High School Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque Santa Fe Preparatory School Santa Fe |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Prairie School Racine Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory School Albuquerque Bosque School Albuquerque |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield Whitefish Bay School District Whitefish Bay Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton | Los Alamos Public Schools Los Alamos Rio Rancho Public Schools Rio Rancho Albuquerque Public Schools Albuquerque |
How Much Do Wisconsin to New Mexico Movers Cost?
Moving 1,255 miles from Wisconsin to New Mexico will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,914 | 300 ft3 | $6.38 |
1 Bedroom | $2,848 | 450 ft3 | $6.33 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,710 | 750 ft3 | $6.28 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,853 | 1100 ft3 | $6.23 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,888 | 1600 ft3 | $6.18 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,034 | 1800 ft3 | $6.13 |
Top Wisconsin to New Mexico Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to New Mexico movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.