City Comparison
Carlsbad vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carlsbad scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carlsbad
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Carlsbad.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carlsbad's average rent is
23% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,098 | +23% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $307 | -45% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,240 | $2,021 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Carlsbad offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Carlsbad delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Carlsbad is estimated at
$52,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,742 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carlsbad runs warmer on average — a 67.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carlsbad comes out ahead with 325 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carlsbad sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 96.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Carlsbad has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
For walkability, Carlsbad leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Carlsbad is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Carlsbad is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Carlsbad has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,238 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carlsbad
Advantages
Proximity to world-renowned Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers unmatched weekend outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
Strong job market in the oil, gas, and mining sectors providing competitive wages relative to the region.
Abundant sunshine with over 325 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Lower overall cost of living compared to major US metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a rich cultural heritage and local historic charm.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on the cyclical energy industry can cause volatility in local housing and job markets.
Arid climate with very low annual rainfall (8.6 inches) presents long-term water management and landscaping challenges.
Limited public transportation options make car ownership an absolute necessity for residents.
Remote geographic location in southeastern New Mexico requires significant travel for specialized shopping or major medical care.
High summer temperatures exceeding 95°F frequently limit daytime outdoor activities during peak months.
Alamogordo
Advantages
The cost of living in Alamogordo is 10% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The housing market is stable and affordable, with the median home sale price at $235,000 as of May 2026.
Holloman Air Force Base provides a strong and stable economic foundation for the city.
Residents have easy access to unique natural attractions, including the stunning White Sands National Park.
CHRISTUS Health Alamogordo received an 'A' Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2026, indicating high quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city has limited public transportation options and a low walkability score of 24, leading to high car dependency.
The average annual salary of $58,673 in Alamogordo is lower than the national average.
Job growth in Alamogordo is modest, with a 0.736% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
The projected population growth rate for Alamogordo in 2026 is relatively flat at 0.0%.
The city's safety index of 49 suggests a need for improvement in its overall safety profile.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Carlsbad
#296New Mexico, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
67.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
71
Business
67
Alamogordo
#477New Mexico, USA
54.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,098
Avg Salary
$58,673
Cost Index
90
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
24.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
70
Business
65
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