Performance
Score Breakdown
Alamogordo
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alamogordo's average rent is
11% lower than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,056 | $1,180 | -11% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $220 | -18% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,056 | $1,950 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 33% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alamogordo is estimated at
$40,992 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,505 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,992 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,890 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $55,952 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 40.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,189 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.89% | % |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
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
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
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