Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Laredo, TX
The drive from Albuquerque, NM to Laredo, TX runs 777 mi — about 14h 47m 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.
777 mi · 14h 47m by car · NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 285, US 90, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Laredo are 9.0% below Albuquerque — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 9.0% under Albuquerque at $344,457 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Albuquerque | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 19.7" |
NOAA normals show Laredo running 18.3°F above Albuquerque on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.36 |
Household income lines up — $65,604 vs $63,264 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Albuquerque vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $65,604 in Albuquerque — a 3.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 777 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Laredo, TX from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 777 mi and the route typically takes 14h 47m via US 285 and US 90. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $344,457 in Albuquerque — a 36.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 9.0% lower than Albuquerque (86.956 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 396,030 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 Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM · Laredo, TX.