Moving from Newport News, VA to Albuquerque, NM
A 1902 mi cross-country move between Newport News and Albuquerque is 33h 37m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1902 mi Β· 33h 37m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| 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
| Newport News | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 97.941 vs 95.546 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.4% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Newport News (59.5Β°F) and Albuquerque (56.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.32 |
Median household incomes in Newport News ($66,718) and Albuquerque ($65,604) are within a few percent (ACS 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 Virginia 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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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.
- 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 Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 1.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 1902 mi and the route typically takes 33h 37m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 2.4% lower than Newport News (95.546 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1902 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 Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 18.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Albuquerque, NM.