City Comparison
Los Lunas vs Alamogordo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Los Lunas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Lunas
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
53% higher compared to Los Lunas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Lunas's average rent is
89% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,071 | $1,098 | +89% |
| Groceries | $450 | $346 | +30% |
| Utilities | $162 | $307 | -47% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,083 | $2,021 | +53% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 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 Los Lunas is estimated at
$55,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,211 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,571 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $62,330 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Los Lunas runs warmer on average — a 60.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Los Lunas comes out ahead with 309 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Los Lunas sees 6.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 309 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Los Lunas.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Lunas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Los Lunas.
From a growth perspective, Los Lunas 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 | Los Lunas | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,194 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.02% | % |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Lunas
Advantages
Los Lunas has a low cost of living, with a Cost of Living Index of 86.3, making it 13.7% more affordable than the national average.
The village is one of the fastest-growing communities in New Mexico, indicating strong economic and population growth momentum.
Major employers like Meta (Facebook) Data Center and Walmart Distribution Center drive job creation and economic development.
A new 15-bed acute care hospital is slated to open in Los Lunas in fall 2026, significantly improving local healthcare access.
Public transportation via Rio Metro buses and the Rail Runner Express is available and fare-free, connecting residents to Albuquerque and other areas.
Drawbacks
Los Lunas crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, with overall crime 65% higher and violent crime 63% higher.
The village is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options, making personal vehicle ownership essential for most residents.
Despite economic growth, Los Lunas has acknowledged a lag in developing affordable housing options.
The median household income of $62,330 is lower than the national average of $80,734.
Traffic congestion on main routes, particularly NM 6, can adversely affect commuter travel and emergency response times.
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.
Los Lunas
#102New Mexico, USA
54.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,071
Avg Salary
$45,211
Cost Index
86
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
309/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
3.02%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
65
Business
70
Alamogordo
#104New Mexico, USA
54.5 / 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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