Moving to New Mexico: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to New Mexico, you’re not alone. The Land of Enchantment atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Albuquerque and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about New Mexico, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to New Mexico to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Jump to the New Mexico information you are looking for:
Pros & cons of living in New Mexico
Like any big move, relocating to New Mexico comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Land of Enchantment to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in NM
- ✓Beautiful landscapes
- ✓Rich culture
- ✓Delicious food and wine
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Abundant outdoor activities
Cons of living in NM
- ✖Bad roads
- ✖Lackluster economy
- ✖Scarce job opportunity
- ✖Slow life
- ✖High crime rate
Things to do in New Mexico
Whether you’re moving to New Mexico work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, New Mexico has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in New Mexico
- White Sands National Park
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- Bandelier National Monument
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
- Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway
- Loretto Chapel
- Sandia Peak Ski & Tramway
Museums in New Mexico
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Roswell Museum
- Museum of International Folk Art
- El Rancho de las Golondrinas
- International UFO Museum and Research Center
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
- New Mexico Museum of Space History
- Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
- Palace of the Governors
Parks in New Mexico
- Dripping Springs Natural Area
- Spring River Park and Zoo
- Old Fort Marcy Park
- Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area
- City of Rocks State Park
- Elena Gallegos Park
- A Park Above
- Santa Rosa Lake State Park
- Santa Fe River Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
Fun facts about New Mexico
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about New Mexico, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Home of Capulin Volcano: you can view portions of five different states (New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Colorado) when you are at the top of this extinct volcano. The volcano was once used as a landscape marker for the Santa Fe Trail.
- The first atomic bomb was dropped in Jornada del Muerto in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The same design was dropped in Nagasaki Japan only a few weeks later.
- Among the youngest American states: New Mexico was not an American state until 1912. This is because the state is dominated by the Hispanic community and catholic, which kept it from being admitted as a state.
- Santa Fe holds the distinction of being the oldest state capital in the U.S. as well as New Mexico’s oldest city.
- It’s illegal to dance while wearing your Sombrero: don’t even think about dancing while wearing your sombrero because this can land you in jail. Stick to hats if you have to wear one while dancing.
- Home of the Shovel Race Championship
- The world shovel race championship is usually held in Angel Fire, N.M. The race is held every year, and thousands of people come from around the US to be part of it.
- It is the hot air ballooning capital of the world: the city of Albuquerque sees more than 700 local hot air balloons glide over its landscape for two weeks every fall.
- It holds the world record for the largest Navajo Taco: the state produces more than 30 pounds of green chili. This is used in making of a taco. The state holds a world record for the largest taco ever made.
- Home to Bandera Ice Cave: the Bandera ice cave dates back to the 1100 B.C. This makes it one of the oldest caves in the area.
- Has the oldest government building: Santa Fe’s governors’ palace is considered to be the oldest colonial government building in the United States. The building has a lot of history and is a landmark in the state.
- Taos Pueblo is over 900 years old: the Taos Pueblo building is over 900 years which makes it one of the oldest inhabited building. These structures are in excellent condition, and they look like a story building.
- Interestingly, the founder of another American giant Amazon.com–Jeff Bezos–was born (January 12, 1964) in Albuquerque.
New Mexico population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to New Mexico, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Land of Enchantment.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in New Mexico, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,113,344 |
| Female | 50.3% |
| Male | 49.7% |
| College graduation rate | 30.05% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51.9-45.9 |
| Crime index | 38.81 |
New Mexico weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether New Mexico is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if New Mexico aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 88ºF |
| Winter low | 20ºF |
| Annual rain | 15″ |
| Annual snow | 24″ |
Income and cost of living in New Mexico
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in New Mexico.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in New Mexico and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($13.1 billion)
- Professional and business services ($10.5 billion)
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction ($10.5 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($8.1 billion)
- Retail trade ($5.7 billion)
- Manufacturing ($4.2 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($4.1 billion)
- Construction ($3.7 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($3.4 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($3.1 billion)
| Metric | New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $966 |
| Average home cost | $303,910 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,722 |
| Cost of living index* | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.9% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in New Mexico
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what New Mexico has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in New Mexico:
- University of New Mexico
- New Mexico State University
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- Eastern New Mexico University
- Western New Mexico University
- New Mexico Highlands University
- Northern New Mexico College
- University of the Southwest
- Southwestern College, Santa Fe
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to New Mexico
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Land of Enchantment, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to NM
- Arkansas to NM
- Arizona to NM
- California to NM
- Colorado to NM
- Connecticut to NM
- Delaware to NM
- Florida to NM
- Georgia to NM
- Iowa to NM
- Idaho to NM
- Illinois to NM
- Indiana to NM
- Kansas to NM
- Kentucky to NM
- Louisiana to NM
- Massachusetts to NM
- Maryland to NM
- Maine to NM
- Michigan to NM
- Minnesota to NM
- Missouri to NM
- Mississippi to NM
- Montana to NM
- North Carolina to NM
- North Dakota to NM
- Nebraska to NM
- New Hampshire to NM
- New Jersey to NM
- Nevada to NM
- New York to NM
- Ohio to NM
- Oklahoma to NM
- Oregon to NM
- Pennsylvania to NM
- Rhode Island to NM
- South Carolina to NM
- South Dakota to NM
- Tennessee to NM
- Texas to NM
- Utah to NM
- Virginia to NM
- Vermont to NM
- Washington to NM
- Wisconsin to NM
- West Virginia to NM
- Wyoming to NM
Cost of moving to New Mexico
Before you take the leap to New Mexico, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
|
||
Mayzlin Relocation
|
||
BLVD Moving
|
||
PODS
|
||
American Van Lines
|
Cost to bring your car to New Mexico
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to New Mexico.
New Mexico car insurance requirements
New Mexico drivers license requirements
FAQ
Is it worth it to move to New Mexico?
How much money should I have to move to New Mexico?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in New Mexico?
What is the downside of living in New Mexico?
New Mexico Moving Resources
moveBuddha Migration Reports
With over 400,000 people utilizing our website to help plan their moves, we have up to date, deep insight into the most popular places people are moving to and from right now.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
