Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Newport News, VA
It is 1902 mi and 33h 37m from Albuquerque to Newport News β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1902 mi Β· 33h 37m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Newport News | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.5% under Albuquerque β $344,457 β $290,660 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 45.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.44 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newport News 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Newport News, VA from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 1902 mi and the route typically takes 33h 37m 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 Newport News compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque 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 Newport News more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 2.5% higher than Albuquerque (97.941 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 1.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 15.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Newport News?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1902 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Albuquerque.
City profiles: Albuquerque, NM Β· Newport News, VA.