Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
79% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
85% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,056 | +85% |
| Groceries | $670 | $450 | +49% |
| Utilities | $310 | $180 | +72% |
| Transport | $240 | $120 | +100% |
| Healthcare | $520 | $250 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $3,690 | $2,056 | +79% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 63% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$79,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Anchorage | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $79,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anchorage runs warmer on average — a 37.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Anchorage comes out ahead with 126 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anchorage sees 79.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anchorage | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 79.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 40.00% |
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, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 31.5/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.2/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 9x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo 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 | Anchorage | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,247 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $57.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#4Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
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
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