City Comparison
Lake Oswego vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lake Oswego scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lake Oswego
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lake Oswego is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lake Oswego's average rent is
70% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $1,098 | +70% |
| Groceries | $0 | $346 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $307 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,866 | $2,021 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lake Oswego offers 45% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,859 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $40,992 |
| Household Income | $141,549 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lake Oswego runs warmer on average — a 55°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lake Oswego comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lake Oswego sees 12.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alamogordo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lake Oswego is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Lake Oswego 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 | Lake Oswego | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,495 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | — |
| Median Age | 46.7 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lake Oswego
Advantages
Lake Oswego has a violent crime rate of 0.7 per 1,000 residents, roughly one-fifth of the national average, making it a very safe city.
The median household income in Lake Oswego was $141,549 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Lake Oswego boasts a highly educated population, with 74.8% of persons aged 25 years and over holding a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2024.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant parks, lake access, and a strong community spirit.
Lake Oswego's median home price of $974,750 in October 2026, while high, indicates a strong and desirable real estate market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Lake Oswego is notably higher than both the national and Portland metro averages, primarily driven by housing costs.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lake Oswego is $1,866 per month, which is above the national average.
Property crime in Lake Oswego, while below the state average, is slightly above the national average.
Rental supply in Lake Oswego is thin due to the city's ownership-oriented nature, making finding rental properties challenging.
Oregon's overall economic activity has been declining, and unemployment is rising at a faster pace than the U.S. average, which could impact the local economy.
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.
Lake Oswego
#68Oregon, USA
69.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$84,859
Cost Index
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
85
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lake Oswego and Alamogordo.
Open Cost Calculator