Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Irving, TX

A move from Albuquerque, NM to Irving, TX covers 638 mi and around 11h 15m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

638 mi Β· 11h 15m by car Β· NM β†’ TX

COL +7.9% Home values -0.9% Ξ” +9.9Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
638 mi
Drive time
11h 15m
States
2
Fuel (25 mpg)
26 gal
Route throughNM β†’ TX
Primary highwaysUS 287, I 40, US 82
Major cities en routeRio Rancho, Amarillo, Denton, Fort Worth, Arlington

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

AlbuquerqueIrvingU.S. avg
All items (RPP)95.546103.09100.0
Rents77.85290.711100.0
Goods96.144102.838100.0
Services89.153117.874100.0

BEA RPP moves from 95.546 in Albuquerque to 103.09 in Irving, a 7.9% bump on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Albuquerque β€” typical home
$344,457
Irving β€” typical home
$341,503
Albuquerque β€” typical rent
$1,459/mo
Irving β€” typical rent
$1,586/mo

Home prices line up β€” $344,457 vs $341,503 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsAlbuquerqueIrving
Annual avg temperature57Β°F67Β°F
January avg low21Β°F36Β°F
July avg high95Β°F96Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”1.6"
Annual precipitationβ€”37.0"

Irving runs 9.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (56.7Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023AlbuquerqueIrving
Population562,488255,036
Median household income$65,604$79,641
Median age38.732.8
Bachelor's degree or higher20.9%24.8%
Avg household size2.322.71

Median household income in Irving is 7.9% above Albuquerque ($65,604 vs $79,641, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Albuquerque MSA β€” median wage
$44,780
Irving MSA β€” median wage
$48,440
Albuquerque MSA β€” employment
396,030
Irving MSA β€” employment
3,966,500

Top occupations in Irving MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 523,660 $44,430
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 412,270 $39,950
Sales and Related Occupations 368,400 $36,710
Management Occupations 350,940 $117,410
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 341,240 $29,000

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between New Mexico and Texas

New Mexico income tax
5.9% top marginal
Texas income tax
no state income tax

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 20–30% 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 Irving average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • 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 far is Irving, TX from Albuquerque, NM?

The driving distance is 638 mi and the route typically takes 11h 15m via US 287 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Irving compare to Albuquerque?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Albuquerque?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β€” a 0.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Irving more expensive than Albuquerque?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 7.9% higher than Albuquerque (103.09 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 Irving?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 638 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 Irving?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β€” a 21.4% 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· Irving, TX.

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