Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Hollywood, FL
Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Hollywood, FL is a 1951 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 28m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1951 mi Β· 35h 28m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 287, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rio Rancho | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 19.5% pricier overall in Hollywood than Rio Rancho on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hollywood typical home at $439,400 is 19.5% above Rio Rancho at $361,856 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 65.0" |
NOAA normals show Hollywood running 18.1Β°F above Rio Rancho on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 39 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.53 |
Median household income in Hollywood is 19.5% below Rio Rancho ($85,755 vs $65,359, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 23.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hollywood more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 19.5% higher than Rio Rancho (114.155 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 21.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1951 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hollywood, FL from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 1951 mi and the route typically takes 35h 28m via I 20 and US 287. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rio Rancho.
City profiles: Rio Rancho, NM Β· Hollywood, FL.