Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Allen, TX
It is 660 mi between Rio Rancho and Allen β roughly 11h 56m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
660 mi Β· 11h 56m by car Β· TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 40, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Mckinney, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rio Rancho | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.9% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $361,856 to $493,532 moving to Allen.
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 7.0Β°F moving to Allen per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 39 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.97 |
Allen households earn about 7.9% more than Rio Rancho at the median β $85,755 β $129,130 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen 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 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 Allen average 95Β°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
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 50.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 660 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Allen more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 7.9% higher than Rio Rancho (103.09 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Allen compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Allen, TX from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 660 mi and the route typically takes 11h 56m via US 287 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 36.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rio Rancho.
City profiles: Rio Rancho, NM Β· Allen, TX.