Performance
Score Breakdown
Aiken
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
31% higher compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aiken's average rent is
26% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Aiken | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,333 | $1,056 | +26% |
| Groceries | $670 | $450 | +49% |
| Utilities | $300 | $180 | +67% |
| Transport | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Healthcare | $133 | $250 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,686 | $2,056 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 10% 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 Aiken is estimated at
$67,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Aiken | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,308 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,480 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $76,746 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aiken | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 40.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aiken | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aiken | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,306 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aiken
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Aiken is approximately 15% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, estimated to be 36% below the national average.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers consistently receives 'A' safety grades and 'High Performing' ratings, indicating high-quality healthcare.
The city boasts a rich equestrian culture and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including Hitchcock Woods.
Aiken has a stable job market with a 1.13% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Public transportation is limited, with less than 1% of residents using it, leading to high car dependency.
Utility costs in Aiken can be slightly higher than the national average.
Summers in Aiken are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels.
The average monthly net salary of $2,917 is lower than the national average.
While generally safe, a specific 'Safety index' was reported as 30, which might indicate areas for improvement in certain crime metrics.
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.
Aiken
#19South Carolina, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,333
Avg Salary
$46,308
Cost Index
85
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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