Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Colorado Springs, CO
It is a 380 mi drive, roughly 6h 37m, between Albuquerque, NM and Colorado Springs, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
380 mi Β· 6h 37m by car Β· NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Pueblo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.4% 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 5.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $344,457 to $449,452 moving to Colorado Springs.
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 15.9" |
Annual temperature drops 6.2Β°F moving to Colorado Springs per NOAA normals.
Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.44 |
Colorado Springs households earn about 5.4% more than Albuquerque at the median β $65,604 β $83,198 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 5.4% higher than Albuquerque (100.707 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 26.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 30.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 380 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 380 mi and the route typically takes 6h 37m via I 25 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM Β· Colorado Springs, CO.