Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Abbotsford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% lower compared to Alamogordo.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,079 | $1,056 | +2% |
| Groceries | $346 | $450 | -23% |
| Utilities | $156 | $180 | -13% |
| Transport | $68 | $120 | -43% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,649 | $2,056 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 110 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 33% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alamogordo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Abbotsford is estimated at
$31,234 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,589 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $31,234 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,445 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $64,800 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 62.00% | 40.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 4.8x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Abbotsford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alamogordo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,524 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.30% | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford was ranked as the third most livable city in Canada in March 2026, largely due to its affordability.
The city's population is experiencing a significant growth rate of 3.3% year-over-year as of 2024.
The housing market showed signs of a rebound in early 2026, with increased sales across all property types compared to the previous year.
Townhome sales and benchmark prices increased in May 2026, indicating a strong segment of the housing market.
The Health Care and Social Assistance and Construction sectors have seen an increase in activity.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 10% higher than the Canadian national average.
The Abbotsford-Mission CMA experienced a 7.2% unemployment rate in October 2025.
Approximately 4,900 jobs were lost in the Abbotsford-Mission area between August 2024 and August 2025.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital were raised in late 2023.
Abbotsford received a low ranking for safety in a March 2026 study of Canadian cities.
Alamogordo
Advantages
The cost of living in Alamogordo is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Residents benefit from a short average commute time of 18 minutes, well below the national average.
The city boasts a high safety score, with violent crime rates reported to be 86% below the national average.
Alamogordo offers a high homeownership rate, with 67% of housing units occupied by owners in 2024.
Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, the city's main hospital, received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city experienced a job growth rate decline of -1.38% from 2023 to 2024.
Alamogordo has a low walkability score of 24, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $55,952 in 2024 is lower than the national average.
A poverty rate of 16.63% in 2026 is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, with a transit access score of 6/10.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#2British Columbia, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,079
Avg Salary
$34,589
Cost Index
110
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.30%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
73
Business
60
Alamogordo
#14New Mexico, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,056
Avg Salary
$51,505
Cost Index
86
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.89%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
77
Business
65
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