Why New Mexico is seeing more Texans come into the state

Patti Crook and her husband, Don, called Texas home for more than a decade and a half. They had built a life together in Texas, while Patti grew her bookkeeping business in Austin. Yet, as the years passed, they felt that they were “definitely ready for a change.”

They found the change they were looking for in New Mexico, a place promising relief from the “high heat and humidity” and the weight of Texas’s property taxes.

The Crooks aren’t alone in their move. The latest U.S. census data shows they are part of a growing number of people who are trading the Lone Star State for New Mexico.

According to the U.S. Census website data from 2022, the largest proportion of people moving to New Mexico came from Texas — nearly 17,000 in 2021.

The Crooks’ first visit to New Mexico last year sealed the deal.

“We visited and fell in love with the cool, arid mornings, and even though it got up to 90 degrees during the day, it felt great,” Patti said.

Don Crook said that the prospect of exploring New Mexico’s landscapes year-round was also a factor in their move to Albuquerque. Another factor — Texas’ property tax rate.

“People are getting priced out of their homes due to super high property taxes,” Crook said.

Joe Cavanaugh agrees, saying that it was more affordable for him and his wife, Stephanie, to move from Texas to Albuquerque.

“It is costing us far less to live here, especially taxes and utilities,” he said.

Census data shows that the median housing cost is about 9% less in New Mexico compared to Texas. The Lone Star State has the seventh-highest property taxes in the country, with an average effective rate of 1.68% and average cost of $4,776. New Mexico has one of the lowest rates in the nation, at 0.67% and an average cost of $2,880.

Despite its high property taxes, Texas has been experiencing a higher population growth than New Mexico. While their population is growing at an annual rate of roughly 16%, New Mexico’s population is growing at a rate of 2.8%.

Cavanaugh says this is part of what drew him to leave Fredericksburg, Texas, for New Mexico.

“The county with a population of under 30,000 hosts about 1.5 million tourists a year. We determined that, for us, the projected 20% population growth would make it more and more challenging,” he said.

Cavanaugh, who lives with bronchial asthma, also said his health and allergies have “improved substantially” after moving to New Mexico.

Greg and Alyson Brown, who left Texas in October of 2021 after 35 years, also wanted to leave behind the growing urbanization of Texas.

“New Mexico just has more of that family feel to it,” Greg Brown said. “New Mexico is the Texas that I grew up with. It still has that originality to it.”

Baltazar Acevedo thinks the population growth Texas is seeing may slow down because of what he believes is the state government’s “corruption.” Acevedo, a faculty member at the University of Texas and former president of the Houston Community College system, decided to leave for that reason. He now lives in the town of Bernalillo as of June 2021, working as a remote faculty member for UT Austin.

“For me, it’s about seeking a place that respects and values diversity and inclusivity,” Acevedo said.

“It’s not just about me; I’ve got daughters, relatives, and friends who are directly impacted,” he added, referring to Texas’s conservative abortion laws.

Since 2021, Texas has banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, only allowing exceptions if the mother’s life is in danger. In New Mexico, it’s legal.

The Browns also had concerns about how they believed Texas was handling women’s issues and LGBTQ+ rights.

“Texas is still in the dark ages when it comes to, well, everything,” Alyson Brown said.

In their last legislative session, Texas legislators proposed bills that prohibit medical care for trans-identifying minors and ban discussion of topics related to LGBTQ+ related topics in classrooms.

While Texas’s LGBTQ+ policies may be a factor for some, it doesn’t seem to be a significant reason.

Dr. Molly McClain, a UNM physician who treats transgender patients, says that her clinic has seen a few patients decide to move to New Mexico, but not a lot.

“I had a family that came and they actually bought a home just so that their kid could get medical care,” said McClain. She says it’s uncommon though, and most families just come to New Mexico for treatment and then return to Texas.

Bob McCranie is a Texas-based realtor that leads the Flee Red States initiative, a service that helps LGBTQ+ relocate to more liberal states.

“I think if we keep ending up with Texas doing what they’re doing to people, that at least parts of the LGBTQ community and other communities at risk will move,” McCranie said. “Being a blue state and feeling more protected there, New Mexico is certainly one place that people are considering.”

In New Mexico, people are not only finding communities that align more closely with their values and politics. They also are finding lower living costs, scenic landscapes and less humid weather.

Greg Brown, reflecting on his move, was surprised at the state’s relatively small population given its qualities.

“I can’t believe only 2 million people live in New Mexico,” he said, “I don’t know why more people don’t live here.”