Moving from Round Rock, TX to Albuquerque, NM
Relocating 683 mi from Round Rock to Albuquerque is a 12h 31m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
683 mi · 12h 31m by car · NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, I 40, US 183 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Lubbock, Killeen, Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.6% under Round Rock — $407,077 → $344,457 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.6% — $97,187 → $65,604 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Albuquerque average 95°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 much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 15.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 683 mi and the route typically takes 12h 31m via US 84 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 683 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 2.6% lower than Round Rock (95.546 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 32.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Albuquerque, NM.