City Comparison
Kettering vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kettering scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kettering
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Kettering.
| Metric | Kettering | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,098 | +5% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $307 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,021 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 1% 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 Kettering is estimated at
$48,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Kettering | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kettering runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kettering comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kettering sees 18.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kettering | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Kettering scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kettering leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kettering | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kettering is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Kettering is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kettering has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kettering | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,862 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kettering
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per Zillow and DataUSA data.
Exceptional local parks and recreation facilities, including the renowned Kettering Recreation Complex.
Strong public safety profile with violent and property crime rates well below national medians.
Proximity to major regional employment drivers including Kettering Health and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Well-rated local public school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Drawbacks
Aging housing stock in many neighborhoods may require ongoing maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high reliance on personal automobiles for daily errands.
Modest job growth rate compared to booming southern or western metropolitan hubs.
Winters can be cold and grey, requiring regular snow removal and property maintenance.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, often requiring travel into downtown Dayton.
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.
Kettering
#132Ohio, USA
65.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
79
Business
68
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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