Moving from Seattle, WA to Albuquerque, NM
Relocating 1425 mi from Seattle to Albuquerque is a 26h 34m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1425 mi Β· 26h 34m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β CO β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β CO β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.0% moving from Seattle 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 $868,680 in Seattle to $344,457 in Albuquerque, a 14.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.2Β°F vs 56.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.0% β $121,984 β $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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 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
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 14.0% lower than Seattle (95.546 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1425 mi and the route typically takes 26h 34m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 60.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 46.2% 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Albuquerque, NM.