Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Hampton, VA
It is 1912 mi and 33h 47m from Albuquerque to Hampton β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1912 mi Β· 33h 47m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Albuquerque and Hampton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $344,457 in Albuquerque to $275,341 in Hampton, a 2.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 47.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.7Β°F vs 59.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.38 |
Household income lines up β $65,604 vs $67,758 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Hampton more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 2.5% higher than Albuquerque (97.941 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 20.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 1912 mi and the route typically takes 33h 47m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1912 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 3.3% 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· Hampton, VA.