City Comparison
Hobbs vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hobbs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hobbs
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hobbs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Hobbs | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,098 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $307 | -45% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $2,021 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alamogordo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hobbs is estimated at
$48,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Hobbs | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,674 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hobbs runs warmer on average — a 65.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hobbs comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hobbs sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hobbs | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hobbs has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
Hobbs scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hobbs leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hobbs | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hobbs is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Hobbs is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hobbs has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hobbs | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,500 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hobbs
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home prices below the national average per recent housing data.
Booming economy driven by the Permian Basin oil and gas industry providing strong job opportunities.
State-of-the-art community amenities such as the CORE (Center of Recreational Excellence) indoor recreation facility.
Low traffic congestion and short average commute times compared to major metropolitan areas.
Rich cultural heritage featuring diverse community events, festivals, and local New Mexican cuisine.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can lead to economic cyclicality.
Arid desert climate brings very hot summers and occasional high winds or dust storms.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes owning a car practically mandatory.
Annual rainfall is quite low at under 9 inches, requiring water conservation awareness.
Distance from major major metropolitan cultural hubs and large international airports.
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.
Hobbs
#303New Mexico, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
65.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
67
Business
70
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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