Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Alamogordo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alamogordo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% higher compared to Sturgis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sturgis's average rent is
23% higher than Alamogordo's.
| Metric | Sturgis | Alamogordo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,098 | +23% |
| Groceries | $422 | $346 | +22% |
| Utilities | $180 | $307 | -41% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $2,021 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alamogordo offers 40% 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 Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $40,992 in Alamogordo.
| Metric | Sturgis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $58,673 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $40,992 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 65,192 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $55,952 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sturgis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Alamogordo.
Alamogordo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alamogordo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alamogordo is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Sturgis.
From a growth perspective, Sturgis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sturgis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sturgis | Alamogordo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 31,276 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sturgis
Advantages
The cost of living in Sturgis is 8% less expensive than the national average.
Housing costs in Sturgis are more affordable than the national average.
Sturgis has an excellent Livability Score of 75/100.
The median home sale price increased by 3.6% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Monument Health Sturgis Hospital has a 75% patient recommendation rate.
Drawbacks
Sturgis's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.33%.
Crime rates in Sturgis are 2% higher than the South Dakota average.
Public transit options are very limited, with a transit score of 1/10.
Healthcare costs in Sturgis are less affordable than the U.S. average.
The median individual income in Sturgis ($35,129 in 2024) is lower than the national average.
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.
Sturgis
#21South Dakota, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$34,935
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
3.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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