Performance
Score Breakdown
Alamogordo
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alamogordo's average rent is
42% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,056 | $744 | +42% |
| Groceries | $450 | $600 | -25% |
| Utilities | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Transport | $120 | $800 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $500 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,056 | $2,794 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 5% 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 Alamogordo is estimated at
$40,992 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,505 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $40,992 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,890 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $55,952 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 40.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,189 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.89% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Des Moines
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alamogordo
#14New Mexico, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,056
Avg Salary
$51,505
Cost Index
86
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
24.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.89%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
77
Business
65
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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