City Comparison
Lorain vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alamogordo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lorain
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lorain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lorain's average rent is
13% lower than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Lorain | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,098 | -13% |
| Groceries | $380 | $346 | +10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $307 | -45% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $2,021 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 11% 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 Lorain is estimated at
$45,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Lorain | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,176 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lorain runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lorain comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lorain sees 39.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lorain | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Lorain.
Lorain scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lorain leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lorain | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 24.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lorain is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Lorain 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 | Lorain | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,886 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lorain
Advantages
Median home prices in Lorain are significantly lower than the national average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to Lake Erie offers abundant recreational boating, fishing, and waterfront park access.
Rich cultural diversity highlighted by community festivals, authentic local eateries, and historic neighborhoods.
Convenient commuting distance to the broader Cleveland metropolitan job and entertainment market.
Lower overall cost of living index allows residents to stretch household budgets further.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median per FBI crime statistics.
Northeast Ohio winters bring heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that require winter preparedness.
Property tax rates in the region can be relatively high compared to the low initial home purchase price.
Job growth within city limits has historically lagged behind high-growth tech hubs.
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan transit systems, increasing car dependency.
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.
Lorain
#480Ohio, USA
53.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
66
Business
60
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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