Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Oklahoma City, OK
Relocating 543 mi from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City is a 9h 19m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
543 mi Β· 9h 19m by car Β· OK β TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.4% moving from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $344,457 in Albuquerque to $206,713 in Oklahoma City, a 5.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.7Β°F vs 60.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 6.7 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, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.5 |
Household income lines up β $65,604 vs $66,702 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Oklahoma City average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 543 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 40.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 1.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 5.4% lower than Albuquerque (90.408 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 543 mi and the route typically takes 9h 19m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM Β· Oklahoma City, OK.