Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Richardson, TX
A move from Albuquerque, NM to Richardson, TX covers 647 mi and around 11h 25m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
647 mi Β· 11h 25m by car Β· NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Amarillo, Denton, Lewisville, Fort Worth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Albuquerque | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 95.546 in Albuquerque to 103.09 in Richardson, a 7.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Richardson: 7.9% above Albuquerque on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Albuquerque +0.9%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Albuquerque | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 41.9" |
Richardson runs 9.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (56.7Β°F vs 65.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Albuquerque | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $65,604 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 38.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Richardson is 7.9% above Albuquerque ($65,604 vs $96,257, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 the job market in Richardson compare to Albuquerque?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richardson, TX from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance is 647 mi and the route typically takes 11h 25m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richardson more expensive than Albuquerque?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 7.9% higher than Albuquerque (103.09 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Albuquerque?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $344,457 in Albuquerque β a 27.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Albuquerque vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $65,604 in Albuquerque β a 46.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Albuquerque to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 647 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· Richardson, TX.