Performance
Score Breakdown
Elyria
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elyria's average rent is
16% lower than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Elyria | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $1,098 | -16% |
| Groceries | $450 | $346 | +30% |
| Utilities | $249 | $307 | -19% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $125 | $150 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $1,861 | $2,021 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elyria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elyria is estimated at
$30,516 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Elyria | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $30,516 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,979 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $54,945 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Elyria | 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 | Elyria | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 13.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Elyria is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elyria has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elyria | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,634 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elyria
Advantages
The cost of living in Elyria is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Elyria boasts a high livability score and ample local amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and parks.
The city's crime rate is lower than the national average, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Housing in Elyria is notably affordable, with a median property value significantly below the national average.
Elyria offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The employment sector in Elyria has received a low grade, indicating challenges in the job market.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Some residents perceive a lack of nightlife and entertainment options for adults, describing the city as 'boring' for that demographic.
The city faces issues with road quality, including bad streets and potholes.
Shopping opportunities have been noted as dissipating from what was once a booming city.
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.
Elyria
#13Ohio, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
13.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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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