Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Austin, TX
It is 690 mi between Albuquerque and Austin β roughly 12h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
690 mi Β· 12h 32m by car Β· TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, I 40, US 183 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Lubbock, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 95.546 vs 98.066 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $344,457 to $508,530 moving to Austin.
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.3" |
Annual temperature rises 13.3Β°F moving to Austin per NOAA normals.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 2.6% more than Albuquerque at the median β $65,604 β $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 47.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Austin more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 2.6% higher than Albuquerque (98.066 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 690 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 690 mi and the route typically takes 12h 32m via US 84 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 39.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM Β· Austin, TX.