Things to know before moving from Kansas to Albuquerque, NM

Cost of living: Kansas vs Albuquerque, NM

Kansas Albuquerque
Average rent cost $986 $1,250
Average home value $229,012 $329,595
Average income (per capita) $69,747 $61,503
Unemployment rate 3% 7%
State income tax 6% 6%
  • Rent is about 27% more expensive in Albuquerque than in Kansas.
  • Home prices are about 44% higher in Albuquerque than in Kansas.
  • The average income is about 12% lower in Albuquerque than in Kansas.
  • Albuquerque has a higher unemployment rate than Kansas by about 118%.
  • Income taxes are 4% higher in Albuquerque than in Kansas.

How life is different in Albuquerque from Kansas

Albuquerque Kansas
Population 564,559 2,940,546
Political leaning Democratic 51-46 Republican 57.1%-41.1
Summer high 92ºF 91ºF
Winter low 24ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 11" 33"
Annual snow 11" 15"
Crime index 71.72 24.07
  • The population of Albuquerque is approximately 81% lower than the population of Kansas.
  • In the last presidential election, Albuquerque voted Democratic and Kansas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Albuquerque is 92ºF and in Kansas, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Albuquerque reaches the temperature of 24ºF and Kansas gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 11 inches of annual rainfall in Albuquerque vs 33 inches of rainfall in Kansas.
  • In Albuquerque, it snows about 11 inches annually vs 15 inches of snow in Kansas.
  • Albuquerque has a higher crime rate than Kansas with a crime index of 71.72 vs 24.07.

Things to do in Albuquerque

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Albuquerque.

Museums in Albuquerquetoggle

  • Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
  • The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
  • Explora Science Center and Children's Museum
  • New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
  • New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society
  • Unser Racing Museum
  • Albuquerque Museum
  • Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum
  • American International Rattlesnake Museum
  • Turquoise Museum
  • New Mexico Holocaust Museum & Gellert Center for Education
  • National Hispanic Cultural Center
  • Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
  • Telephone Museum of New Mexico
  • New Mexico Veterans' Memorial, Albuquerque

Parks in Albuquerquetoggle

  • Elena Gallegos Park
  • Volcano Park
  • Los Poblanos Open Space
  • Tiguex Park
  • Robinson Park
  • Roosevelt Park
  • Bataan Memorial Park
  • Mariposa Basin Park
  • Bernalillo Open Space
  • U.S.S. Bullhead Memorial Park

Sports Teams in Albuquerquetoggle

  • Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A West)
  • New Mexico United (USL Championship)
  • Duke City Gladiators (Indoor Football League)
  • New Mexico Lobos (NCAA)

Universities in Albuquerquetoggle

  • The University of New Mexico
  • Carrington College
  • New Mexico Highlands University
  • Apollo College
  • Brown Mackie College

Other considerations when moving to Albuquerque, NM

  • Weather: Albuquerque's climate is usually sunny and dry. Winter typically consists of cool days and cold nights, except following passage of the strongest cold fronts and arctic airmasses when daytime temperatures remain colder than average; overnight temperatures tend to fall below freezing between about 10 pm and 8 am in the city.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Movers that operate within the Land of Enchantment are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New Mexico moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: New Mexico does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New Mexico. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection, the cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Kansas to Albuquerque take?

The time frame for a move from Kansas to Albuquerque, NM, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Kansas, the longer the drive time to Albuquerque will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Albuquerque from Kansas can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Kansas to Albuquerque?

Because of the 617-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Kansas to Albuquerque as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Albuquerque, NM?

With the summer highs of 92ºF and the winter lows of 24ºF, most people move to Albuquerque from Kansas during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Albuquerque during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources