Moving from Las Cruces, NM to Richardson, TX
The drive from Las Cruces, NM to Richardson, TX runs 695 mi — about 11h 48m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
695 mi · 11h 48m by car · TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, TX 183 TEXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Las Cruces | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.212 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.918 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 62.982 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.3% pricier overall in Richardson than Las Cruces on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Richardson typical home at $440,400 is 14.3% above Las Cruces at $290,023 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Las Cruces -0.4%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Las Cruces | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $55,176 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 32.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.3% between Las Cruces and Richardson (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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
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 — 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 Richardson average 94°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
When is the best time to move from Las Cruces to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 695 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Las Cruces vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $55,176 in Las Cruces — a 74.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richardson more expensive than Las Cruces?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 14.3% higher than Las Cruces (103.09 vs 90.212, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Las Cruces?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $290,023 in Las Cruces — a 51.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Las Cruces?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $37,690 in the Las Cruces MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 75,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richardson, TX from Las Cruces, NM?
The driving distance is 695 mi and the route typically takes 11h 48m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Las Cruces.
City profiles: Las Cruces, NM · Richardson, TX.