($1,176) Moving From California to New Mexico
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to New Mexico ranges from $706 to $5,925 and takes two-eight days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to New Mexico separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from New Mexico to California guide.
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The best California to New Mexico movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to New Mexico is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to New Mexico:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
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7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to New Mexico?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to New Mexico for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,176 - $4,740 | $842 - $1,911 | $661 - $1,180 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,443 - $5,925 | $1,539 - $2,915 | $706 - $1,519 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,208 - $8,077 | $1,936 - $3,836 | $923 - $1,885 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,005 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NM
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to New Mexico will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to New Mexico?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to New Mexico will cost between $1,176 and $4,740. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NM will range from $2,443 to $5,925, and a large move from California to New Mexico will cost from $4,208 to $8,077.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to New Mexico?
Moving containers from California to New Mexico will cost you $842 to $1,911 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,539 to $2,915. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,936 to $3,836. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to New Mexico?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$661 to $1,180.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$706 to $1,519,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to New Mexico costs from
$923 to $1,885.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to New Mexico a good idea?
If you’re moving to New Mexico from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. New Mexico
| California | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $966 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $303,910 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $58,722 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.61% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.9% |
- Rent is about 48% less expensive in New Mexico than in California.
- Home prices are about 61% lower in New Mexico than in California.
- The average income is about 36% lower in New Mexico than in California.
- Cost of living is 30% lower in New Mexico than in California.
- New Mexico has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 46%.
- Sales taxes are 12% lower in New Mexico than in California.
- Income taxes are 56% lower in New Mexico than in California.
How does life in New Mexico differ from California?
| New Mexico | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,113,344 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 51.9-45.9 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 88ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 20ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 15" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 24" | 7" |
| Crime index | 38.81 | 28.43 |
- The population of New Mexico is approximately 95% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, New Mexico voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in New Mexico is 88ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, New Mexico reaches the temperature of 20ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about fifteen inches of annual rainfall in New Mexico versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In New Mexico, it snows about twenty-four inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- New Mexico has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 38.81 vs 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. New Mexico
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus New Mexico side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Beautiful landscapes |
| Pleasant weather | Rich culture |
| Abundant recreational options | Delicious food and wine |
| High quality of life | Low cost of living |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Abundant outdoor activities |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. New Mexico
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for New Mexico.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in New Mexico |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Bad roads |
| Heavy tax burdens | Lackluster economy |
| Natural disasters | Scarce job opportunity |
| Terrible traffic | Slow life |
| Strange laws | High crime rate |
What to know before your move to New Mexico
- Weather: New Mexico has long been reputable for its pleasant, temperate climate. The eastern third of the state receives the most rainfall while the western third receives the least amount. New Mexico's stable climate and sparse population provide for clearer skies and less light pollution.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: Movers that operate within the Land of Enchantment are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a New Mexico moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: New Mexico does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New Mexico. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Opt for Released Value Protection, the cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in New Mexico
While you’re in New Mexico, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: White Sands National Park
- 2: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- 3: Bandelier National Monument
- 4: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
- 5: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- 6: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- 7: New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
- 8: Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway
- 9: Loretto Chapel
- 10: Sandia Peak Ski & Tramway
- 11: Petroglyph National Monument
- 12: Taos Pueblo
- 13: Santa Rosa Blue Hole
- 14: Pecos National Historical Park
- 15: Very Large Array
- 16: Billy the Kid Museum
- 17: Wheeler Peak Wilderness
- 18: International UFO Museum and Research Center
- 19: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
- 20: Four Corners Monument
- 21: Cliff’s Amusement Park
- 22: Ghost Ranch
- 23: The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
- 24: Meow Wolf
- 25: Wildlife West Nature Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to New Mexico?
The cheapest way to move from California to New Mexico is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to New Mexico?
The main reasons people are moving from California to New Mexico are the amazing upsides of living in New Mexico such as beautiful landscapes and rich culture.
Is it cheaper to live in California or New Mexico?
It is generally cheaper to live in New Mexico than in California. Housing is much more affordable in New Mexico, with average rent about 48% less and home prices 60.6% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in New Mexico, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New Mexico?
You should make approximately $28,183 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $409 per month for an individual and $1,455 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Mexico you live For example, larger cities like Alamogordo and Albuquerque will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
