City Comparison
Corvallis vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Corvallis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Corvallis
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Corvallis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Corvallis's average rent is
69% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Corvallis | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,858 | $1,098 | +69% |
| Groceries | $420 | $346 | +21% |
| Utilities | $175 | $307 | -43% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,778 | $2,021 | +37% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Corvallis offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Corvallis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Corvallis is estimated at
$62,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Corvallis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,071 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $65,012 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Corvallis runs warmer on average — a 54°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Corvallis comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Corvallis sees 6.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Corvallis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Corvallis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
Corvallis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Corvallis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Corvallis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Corvallis is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Corvallis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Corvallis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Corvallis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,499 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | — |
| Median Age | 27.9 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Corvallis
Advantages
Average hourly wages in the Corvallis metro area outperform the national average at $35.58 per hour per May 2025 BLS data.
Exceptional bicycling infrastructure and a free municipal transit system (CTS) reduce car dependency.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including the Cascade Mountains and Willamette Valley wine country.
Top-tier healthcare access anchored by Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Extremely low violent crime rates compared to national and state averages.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average due to geographical and regulatory constraints.
Low rental vacancy rates during peak academic transition periods create intense competition for housing.
Poverty rate statistics are statistically elevated due to a high concentration of student residents with minimal reported income.
Prone to prolonged overcast and rainy periods during the autumn and winter seasons.
Limited commercial flight options out of the local municipal airport require travel to Eugene or Portland.
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.
Corvallis
#445Oregon, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,858
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
82
Business
72
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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