Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,056 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,056 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 22% 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 Alabaster is estimated at
$72,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Alabaster | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,018 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,835 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 40.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alamogordo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alabaster is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alabaster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alabaster | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,917 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
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.
Alabaster
#12Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Alabaster and Alamogordo.
Open Cost Calculator