Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Angeles
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
89% higher compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Angeles's average rent is
152% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,656 | $1,056 | +152% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $320 | $180 | +78% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $3,876 | $2,056 | +89% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 46% higher 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 Los Angeles is estimated at
$100,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $100,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,342 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $90,757 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 40.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 68.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 120.2x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo 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 | Los Angeles | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,869,089 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $760.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Alamogordo
Advantages
The cost of living in Alamogordo is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Residents benefit from a short average commute time of 18 minutes, well below the national average.
The city boasts a high safety score, with violent crime rates reported to be 86% below the national average.
Alamogordo offers a high homeownership rate, with 67% of housing units occupied by owners in 2024.
Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, the city's main hospital, received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city experienced a job growth rate decline of -1.38% from 2023 to 2024.
Alamogordo has a low walkability score of 24, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
The median household income of $55,952 in 2024 is lower than the national average.
A poverty rate of 16.63% in 2026 is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, with a transit access score of 6/10.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
Alamogordo
#14New Mexico, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,056
Avg Salary
$51,505
Cost Index
86
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
24.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.89%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
77
Business
65
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