City Comparison
Alamogordo vs Moscow
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moscow scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alamogordo
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
51% higher compared to Alamogordo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alamogordo's average rent is
18% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,098 | $1,338 | -18% |
| Groceries | $346 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $307 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,021 | $1,338 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alamogordo is estimated at
$40,992 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,673 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,992 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,192 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $55,952 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 24.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alamogordo | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,276 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Moscow
#72Idaho, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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