City Comparison
Española vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alamogordo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Española
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Española is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Española's average rent is
13% lower than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Española | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,098 | -13% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $307 | -43% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,021 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 18% 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 Española is estimated at
$42,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Española | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $38,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Española runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Española comes out ahead with 323 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Española sees 9.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Española | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 11.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 323 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Española.
Española scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Española leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Española | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Española.
From a growth perspective, Española 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 | Española | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,200 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Española
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and living costs compared to nearby Santa Fe and Los Alamos.
Rich cultural heritage blending Spanish colonial and Pueblo Native American traditions.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including the Rio Grande and Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Authentic local cuisine and vibrant regional arts and festival scene.
Short commuting distance to major regional employers like Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates higher than the national average in certain areas.
Limited public transportation infrastructure increases car dependency.
Economic mobility and high-paying job opportunities within city limits can be restricted.
Local retail and dining options are more limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Poverty rates exceed state and national averages.
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.
Española
#554New Mexico, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
323/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
67
Business
58
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Española and Alamogordo.
Open Cost Calculator