Moving from Oxnard, CA to Albuquerque, NM
It is 843 mi between Oxnard and Albuquerque β roughly 14h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
843 mi Β· 14h 47m by car Β· NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.6% moving from Oxnard to Albuquerque β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $767,291 in Oxnard to $344,457 in Albuquerque, a 13.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.2Β°F vs 56.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 34 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 2.32 |
Albuquerque households earn about 13.6% less than Oxnard at the median β $93,372 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 California 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 843 mi and the route typically takes 14h 47m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 55.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 29.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 13.6% lower than Oxnard (95.546 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 843 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 Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Albuquerque, NM.