Performance
Score Breakdown
Alamogordo
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alamogordo's average rent is
47% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,056 | $1,988 | -47% |
| Groceries | $450 | $757 | -41% |
| Utilities | $180 | $406 | -56% |
| Transport | $120 | $369 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $119 | +110% |
| Monthly Total | $2,056 | $3,639 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 20% 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 $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,505 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $40,992 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,890 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $55,952 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 40.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
For walkability, Gaithersburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gaithersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,189 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.89% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Gaithersburg
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
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
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