Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% higher compared to Aberdeen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
14% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,098 | +14% |
| Groceries | $388 | $346 | +12% |
| Utilities | $288 | $307 | -6% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $305 | $150 | +103% |
| Monthly Total | $2,311 | $2,021 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 34% 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 Aberdeen is estimated at
$50,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,861 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,391 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Aberdeen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,376 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | % |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
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.
Aberdeen
#69South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
Alamogordo
#69New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,098
Avg Salary
$58,673
Cost Index
90
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
24.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
70
Business
65
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