Moving from Alexandria, VA to Albuquerque, NM
A 1886 mi cross-country move between Alexandria and Albuquerque is 33h 20m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1886 mi Β· 33h 20m 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, US 11 |
| 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
| Alexandria | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Albuquerque at 95.546 vs Alexandria at 108.884.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $676,205 to $344,457 moving to Albuquerque.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Alexandria | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Alexandria (59.3Β°F) and Albuquerque (56.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.32 |
Albuquerque households earn about 12.2% less than Alexandria at the median β $113,638 β $65,604 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Albuquerque MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Albuquerque average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 New Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 1886 mi and the route typically takes 33h 20m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 12.2% lower than Alexandria (95.546 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $113,638 in Alexandria β a 42.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1886 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 Albuquerque compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $676,205 in Alexandria β a 49.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA Β· Albuquerque, NM.