Performance
Score Breakdown
San Antonio
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
36% higher compared to San Antonio.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Antonio's average rent is
64% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | San Antonio | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,805 | $1,098 | +64% |
| Groceries | $400 | $346 | +16% |
| Utilities | $180 | $307 | -41% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,755 | $2,021 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Antonio offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Antonio delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Antonio is estimated at
$85,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | San Antonio | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 83,516 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $66,176 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | San Antonio | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to San Antonio.
San Antonio scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Antonio leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Antonio | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Antonio is the larger city
— approximately 50.3x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, San Antonio is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alamogordo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Antonio | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,572,360 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.55% | % |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Antonio
Advantages
San Antonio's cost of living is approximately 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable major U.S. city.
The city has demonstrated strong job growth, projected to lead Texas in 2025 and ranking as the third-fastest-growing major job market in 2024.
San Antonio's population continues to grow, with an estimated 1.55% annual increase, driven by both domestic and international migration.
Public transportation, particularly VIA Metropolitan Transit, received the highest customer satisfaction rating in the U.S. for transit agencies in 2024.
Overall crime in San Antonio fell by more than 13% in 2025, with significant drops in both violent and property crimes.
Drawbacks
The median household income in San Antonio, at $66,176 in 2024, remains below the national average.
Healthcare costs in San Antonio are slightly higher than the national average.
Despite a highly-rated public transit system, San Antonio is largely car-dependent with a low overall walkability score for much of the city.
The San Antonio housing market experienced a slight decline in median home prices by 2.6% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Traffic congestion is a concern, with San Antonio ranking as the 25th most congested city in the U.S. in 2025.
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.
San Antonio
#54Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,805
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
72.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.55%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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