Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Hampton, VA
A 1926 mi cross-country move between Rio Rancho and Hampton is 34h 15m 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.
1926 mi Β· 34h 15m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rio Rancho | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Rio Rancho and Hampton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $361,856 in Rio Rancho to $275,341 in Hampton, a 2.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 47.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.0Β°F vs 59.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 39 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.38 |
Hampton households earn about 2.5% less than Rio Rancho at the median β $85,755 β $67,758 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 21.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1926 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 Hampton compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 23.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 1926 mi and the route typically takes 34h 15m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hampton more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 2.5% higher than Rio Rancho (97.941 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Hampton, VA.