Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% higher compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
29% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Dallas | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,412 | $1,098 | +29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $346 | +30% |
| Utilities | $281 | $307 | -8% |
| Transport | $126 | $120 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $150 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,404 | $2,021 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 4% higher 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 Dallas is estimated at
$96,970 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Dallas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,900 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $96,970 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,297 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dallas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dallas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 42.7x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dallas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | % |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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.
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
Alamogordo
#64New 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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