Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
63% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Olympia | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $1,056 | +63% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $2,056 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 92% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olympia is estimated at
$87,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Olympia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $51,505 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,333 idx | 59,890 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 40.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Alamogordo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olympia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 32,189 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | 0.89% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia boasts a high livability score of 84/100, ranking it among the best places to live in Washington and the USA.
The city offers ample job opportunities, particularly in state and local government, contributing to a strong employment score.
Olympia's median household income saw a 5.7% growth year-over-year in 2024, reaching $81,302.
The housing market, while competitive, remains relatively accessible compared to other major West Coast cities.
Olympia has highly-rated public schools, making it attractive for families.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Olympia is 13% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
Olympia's overall crime rate is 68% to 89% higher than the national average, placing it in the 10th percentile for safety.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher than the national average, ranging from 19% to 25.3% more expensive.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a walk score of 39 and limited public transportation options.
Olympia experiences a high amount of rainfall annually, averaging around 50-58 inches.
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.
Olympia
#19Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,723
Avg Salary
$98,686
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.02%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
84
Business
0
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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