Performance
Score Breakdown
Memphis
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Memphis's average rent is
10% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Memphis | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $1,098 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $346 | +16% |
| Utilities | $250 | $307 | -19% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,100 | $2,021 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 23% 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 Memphis is estimated at
$70,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Memphis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $51,736 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Memphis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Alamogordo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Memphis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 19.40 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Memphis is the larger city
— approximately 19.5x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Memphis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Memphis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 609,647 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
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.
Memphis
#118Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
Alamogordo
#79New 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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