Moving from West Jordan, UT to Albuquerque, NM
The drive from West Jordan, UT to Albuquerque, NM runs 594 mi β about 12h 6m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
594 mi Β· 12h 6m by car Β· NM β CO β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β CO β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 191, US 550, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Provo, West Valley City, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Albuquerque are 5.3% below West Jordan β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Albuquerque typical home at $344,457 is 5.3% under West Jordan at $561,836 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.5Β°F vs 56.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.3% between West Jordan and Albuquerque (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 Utah 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.
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 household income compare in West Jordan vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 36.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 594 mi and the route typically takes 12h 6m via US 191 and US 550. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Jordan to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 594 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 West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 38.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 5.3% lower than West Jordan (95.546 vs 100.868, 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 West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Albuquerque, NM.