City Comparison
Chaparral vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chaparral scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chaparral
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chaparral's average rent is
18% lower than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Chaparral | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,098 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $307 | -43% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,815 | $2,021 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 25% 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 Chaparral is estimated at
$42,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Chaparral | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $46,017 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chaparral runs warmer on average — a 65.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chaparral comes out ahead with 331 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chaparral sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chaparral | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
For walkability, Chaparral leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chaparral | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Chaparral.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral 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 | Chaparral | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | — |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chaparral
Advantages
Home values are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with typical properties valued around $228,000 per Zillow data.
Enjoy an abundance of sunshine with approximately 331 sunny days per year under an appealing desert climate.
Strategic location in the Borderplex region offers close proximity to El Paso employment and military bases.
A remarkably young and vibrant community with a median age of 31.6 years per U.S. Census data.
Cost of living and everyday goods are notably cheaper than national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and low walkability scores require long commutes for most employment and shopping needs.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with U.S. Census data recording approximately 27.4% of persons below the poverty line.
Limited local higher education attainment, with only around 10.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Scarcity of large-scale commercial entertainment, dining, and major healthcare facilities within immediate town limits.
Household median incomes remain well below national medians at roughly $46,017.
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.
Chaparral
#375New Mexico, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
65.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
68
Business
60
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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