Performance
Score Breakdown
Rapid City
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% higher compared to Rapid City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rapid City's average rent is
22% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Rapid City | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,098 | +22% |
| Groceries | $340 | $346 | -2% |
| Utilities | $285 | $307 | -7% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $366 | $150 | +144% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $2,021 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 21% 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 Rapid City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Rapid City | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,200 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,667 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $70,870 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rapid City | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 59.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rapid City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
For walkability, Rapid City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rapid City | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Alamogordo.
From a growth perspective, Rapid City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rapid City | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,067 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.83% | % |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 1.90% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rapid City
Advantages
Rapid City experienced a significant population growth rate of 1.83% from 2024 to 2025, indicating a thriving community.
The unemployment rate in Rapid City is exceptionally low at 1.9% in 2026, well below the national average, suggesting a strong job market.
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital received an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2025, highlighting high standards of patient safety.
The cost of living in Rapid City is slightly lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 99, making it a relatively affordable place to reside.
Violent crime in Rapid City has seen a 26% decrease since 2020, reaching a five-year low in 2024, reflecting improved public safety efforts.
Drawbacks
Despite improvements, Rapid City's overall crime rate of 46 per one thousand residents is considered high compared to many communities nationwide.
Demand for housing has at times outpaced supply, contributing to rising costs and potential challenges for new residents.
Grocery prices in Rapid City are slightly higher than the national average, impacting everyday household expenses.
Some tourism-affiliated sectors in Rapid City offer lower-than-average wages, which can affect the overall earning potential for a segment of the workforce.
The city exhibits a medium car dependency, with limited public transit options and most residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting.
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.
Rapid City
#21South Dakota, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$46,200
Cost Index
99
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.83%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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