Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Pittsburgh, PA
Cross-country relocations like Albuquerque, NM β Pittsburgh, PA cover 1640 mi and about 29h 34m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1640 mi Β· 29h 34m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 40, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pittsburgh and Albuquerque is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pittsburgh is 0.9% below Albuquerque β $344,457 vs $237,533 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 41.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Albuquerque (56.7Β°F) and Pittsburgh (52.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.21 |
Median household incomes in Albuquerque ($65,604) and Pittsburgh ($64,137) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pittsburgh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 137,860 | $43,230 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 96,800 | $28,940 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 90,050 | $39,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 89,070 | $35,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 79,490 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1640 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 Pittsburgh compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 31.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 0.9% lower than Albuquerque (94.671 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 1640 mi and the route typically takes 29h 34m via I 70 and I 40. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 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 Β· Pittsburgh, PA.