Performance
Score Breakdown
Alamogordo
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
64% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alamogordo's average rent is
78% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Alamogordo | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,056 | $4,719 | -78% |
| Groceries | $450 | $500 | -10% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $132 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,056 | $5,746 | -64% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 179 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 30% 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 Alamogordo is estimated at
$40,992 vs $171,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Alamogordo | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,505 | $73,950 |
| Salary Needed | $40,992 | $171,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,890 idx | 41,313 idx |
| Household Income | $55,952 | $74,694 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alamogordo | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 40.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alamogordo | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 41 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 90.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 85.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, New York City 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 | Alamogordo | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,189 | 8,478,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.89% | 1.04% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
New York City
Advantages
New York City's population grew by 1.04% between July 2023 and July 2024, indicating strong appeal and recovery.
The city's private sector added 115,000 jobs in 2024, demonstrating a robust and growing job market.
New York City companies raised $24 billion in venture capital in 2024, highlighting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Overall major crime in New York City decreased by nearly 3% in 2024 compared to 2023, contributing to a safer urban environment.
New York City offers unparalleled cultural and entertainment opportunities, with world-class theaters, museums, and dining.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 79% higher than the national average, primarily driven by extremely high housing costs.
A single adult needs an estimated $171,000 before taxes to live comfortably in New York City.
The average one-way commute time in New York City was 40.6 minutes in 2024, making it one of the longest in the U.S.
New York State's hospital quality ratings are among the lowest in the U.S., with an average of 2.5 out of 5 stars in 2025.
Felony assaults in New York City increased by 4.9% in 2024 and remain 40.4% above 2019 levels, contributing to lingering safety concerns.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
New York City
#40New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,719
Avg Salary
$73,950
Cost Index
179
Commute
41 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
88.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
68
Business
80
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