Moving from Renton, WA to Albuquerque, NM
Relocating 1422 mi from Renton to Albuquerque is a 26h 31m drive through 6 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.
1422 mi Β· 26h 31m by car Β· NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 191, US 550 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Provo, West Valley City, West Jordan, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Albuquerque at 95.546 vs Renton at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $764,375 to $344,457 moving to Albuquerque.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Renton (53.6Β°F) and Albuquerque (56.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.0% β $96,626 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 Washington 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $764,375 in Renton β a 54.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 14.0% lower than Renton (95.546 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $96,626 in Renton β a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1422 mi and the route typically takes 26h 31m via I 84 and US 191. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1422 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 2,079,090 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Albuquerque, NM.