Moving from Montgomery, AL to Albuquerque, NM
It is 1335 mi between Montgomery and Albuquerque β roughly 23h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1335 mi Β· 23h 19m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 65 |
| 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
| Montgomery | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.5% above Montgomery β 89.682 β 95.546 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | β |
Annual temperature drops 11.2Β°F moving to Albuquerque per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.32 |
Households in Albuquerque earn about 6.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Alabama 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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 far is Albuquerque, NM from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 1335 mi and the route typically takes 23h 19m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 6.5% higher than Montgomery (95.546 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 17.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1335 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 Albuquerque compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 127.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 160,840 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 Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Albuquerque, NM.