Moving from Carrollton, TX to Albuquerque, NM
Relocating 633 mi from Carrollton to Albuquerque is a 11h 8m drive through 2 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.
633 mi Β· 11h 8m by car Β· NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Denton, Frisco, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.3% cheaper overall in Albuquerque than Carrollton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 7.3% under Carrollton β $406,040 β $344,457 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | β |
Expect 9.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.3% β $99,115 β $65,604 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Albuquerque MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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 Albuquerque average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 New Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 15.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 33.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 633 mi and the route typically takes 11h 8m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 633 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 7.3% lower than Carrollton (95.546 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Albuquerque, NM.