City Comparison
Artesia vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Artesia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Artesia
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Artesia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Artesia | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,098 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $307 | -43% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,000 | $2,021 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Artesia offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Artesia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Artesia is estimated at
$48,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Artesia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,033 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Artesia runs warmer on average — a 66.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Artesia comes out ahead with 325 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Artesia sees 2.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Artesia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 95.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 11.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | |
| Humidity | 38.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Artesia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
Artesia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Artesia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Artesia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Artesia.
From a growth perspective, Artesia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Artesia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Artesia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,300 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Artesia
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home prices below the national average per US Census data.
Strong local economy anchored by the thriving Permian Basin energy and refining sector.
Low average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to major metropolitan areas.
Rich cultural heritage featuring a vibrant historic downtown and prominent public art installations.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lincoln National Forest.
Drawbacks
Arid climate with high summer temperatures exceeding 95°F regularly.
High dependence on the oil and gas industry makes the local economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Limited public transportation infrastructure requires high car dependency.
Limited retail and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan healthcare and cultural hubs.
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.
Artesia
#249New Mexico, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
66.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
73
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
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