Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
60% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
64% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Houston | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,098 | +64% |
| Groceries | $682 | $346 | +97% |
| Utilities | $253 | $307 | -18% |
| Transport | $348 | $120 | +190% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $150 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $2,021 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Houston | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alamogordo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 74.2x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | % |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly 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.
Houston
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
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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