City Comparison
North Platte vs Alliance
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Platte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Platte
Alliance
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alliance is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in North Platte.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Platte's average rent is
47% higher than Alliance's.
| Metric | North Platte | Alliance | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $647 | +47% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $1,647 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alliance offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alliance delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Platte is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Alliance.
| Metric | North Platte | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,160 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 72,400 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $65,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Platte runs warmer on average — a 52.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Platte comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Platte sees 11.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Platte | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alliance has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to North Platte.
North Platte scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Platte leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Platte | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 14.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Platte is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Alliance.
From a growth perspective, North Platte is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Platte has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Platte | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,605 | 8,075 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Platte
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Home to Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, providing robust and stable employment in transportation and logistics.
Exceptionally short average commute times under 18 minutes, reducing daily travel stress.
Access to quality regional healthcare anchored by Great Plains Health.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including Lake Maloney State Recreation Area.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity.
Severe winter weather conditions and occasional heavy snowfall can impact travel.
Limited high-paying professional career options outside of healthcare, education, and rail transport.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan cultural centers and large airports.
Limited dining, nightlife, and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
Alliance
Advantages
Cost of living is 9% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 30% lower.
Violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with 0 reported murders in 2024.
High homeownership rate of 75.2%.
Short average commute time of 10.6 minutes.
The Health Care & Social Assistance sector is a major employer in the city.
Drawbacks
Population has been declining slightly in recent years.
Walkability and transit scores are very low, indicating high car dependency.
Limited retail options within the city, requiring travel to nearby Scottsbluff for more extensive shopping.
The overall climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High'.
Drug activity is noted as a concern within the community.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
North Platte
#103Nebraska, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
52.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
75
Business
67
Alliance
#193Nebraska, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$647
Avg Salary
$65,160
Cost Index
90
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
14.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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