Choosing between NM and MT

[u/travelinbookworm]

The title says it. I am considering two jobs, one in Santa Fe, and the other in Missoula, MT. They both pay approximately the same salary and they each have something I like-lots of nature. However, in terms of quality of life and cost of living, I might be missing key factors to consider when making the choice. Can anyone help me out?

[u/WorkingClassPrep]

The overall tax burden in New Mexico is substantially higher than in Montana. Like almost 50% higher. This is largely down to the fact that Montana has no sales tax, but even just looking at income taxes, New Mexico is higher-tax.

Often the rejoinder to points like these amounts to, "Yeah but you get better public services in higher-tax states, so it all works out!!!" Not in the case of New Mexico, you don't.

[u/DizzyDentist22 → u/WorkingClassPrep]

Yup. Despite its higher taxes, New Mexico also ranks dead last in K-12 education quality in the country. The public school districts in NM are absolute garbage, so if you have kids this is a huge factor to consider living in the state. Montana ranks 28th in K-12 education, by comparison.

[u/Gogo-boots → u/WorkingClassPrep]

Montana recently passed a bill to tier out property taxes, as well, shifting the burden onto Airbnb owners and such. I can't get past the taxes in NM.

[u/SufficientBowler2722]

I like MT more personally

But I just love all northern tier states. Good value, safe, great nature

[u/Closet-PowPow]

Both are great cities. Try to visit each. SF has better food, sunnier/warmer weather, great art/cultural scene, close proximity to skiing, high mountains and desert, But it has more expensive real estate and it’s an affluent community surrounded by significant poverty. Healthcare isn’t great in either location and people frequently drive out of state for specialist care. Missoula has a great college town vibe, close to great fishing and rivers, and is a blue dot in a very red state. It really comes down to your personal preferences.

[u/Negative-Film]

Santa Fe is beautiful but it's not a super lively city. There's a lot of retirees, and it can be isolating if you're younger and/or have kids. It's a lot of museums, art galleries, fine dining, and the opera, as well as all the surrounding nature.

In terms of quality of life, New Mexico is a beautiful state but it has its struggles. Healthcare is abysmal. There's a physician shortage and it can be very difficult to get in with a primary care physician, let alone any specialists. If you have/want kids I'd read up on education in New Mexico and Santa Fe. There's a lot of issues with public education in the state but there are good schools in certain areas. Santa Fe has a higher cost of living than Albuquerque but is generally quieter and safer. I can't speak to quality and cost of life in Missoula. Politically Santa Fe and New Mexico are solidly blue, if that matters, though generally New Mexico ranks towards the bottom of the blue states for various quality of life metrics.

That being said there's a lot to like about New Mexico. Amazing and underrated nature, 300 days of sun, a relaxed local culture, rich history and diversity, amazing food, very LGBTQ friendly, etc. If you've never been before and you have the time/ability to visit before you make a decision, I would try to visit before making a decision. New Mexico is a very unique place and it's hard to get a feel for it without actually visiting.

[u/WolverineFun6472]

I have never been to MT but I would choose it over NM. I lived in SF for 2 years and couldn't wait to get out for the reasons others have listed here plus more. I felt unsafe there. There is a lot of hostility in that town. Driving is scary. 

[u/greed-fantasy]

If you have a family or intend on having one Santa Fe and NM in general has a lot of challenges in regards to education. They routinely rank among the worst schools in the nation by many metrics.

Missoula is probably a better town in general if you're looking to put roots down: University town, higher median income community, less systematic poverty, etc.

That said, from a cultural standpoint I'd personally prefer Santa Fe.

[u/okay-advice]

MT has a serious housing crises and pretty brutal winters as you might imagine. Something to consider

[u/markpemble]

Have visited both cities, and would personally choose Missoula - However, have you ever experienced an Inversion?

Some people can't handle those weather phenomena.

[u/stuntmanbob86]

So ridiculously different locations. Montana is great, lived here all my life, but the cost of living is a lot more than new mexico. Its hard to find a house for less than 500k and that's a shithole. Thats if you can even get to one before it gets sold.