Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Nashville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nashville's average rent is
59% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Nashville | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,056 | +59% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $260 | $180 | +44% |
| Transport | $180 | $120 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $250 | -44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,664 | $2,056 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 81% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nashville is estimated at
$67,356 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Nashville | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,454 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $67,356 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,348 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nashville | 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
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nashville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nashville | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 22.1x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 712,581 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
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.
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
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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