A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Alamogordo New Mexico National
Cost of living8793100
Goods & Services9497100
Groceries9697100
Health care9897100
Housing7286100
Transportation9695100
Utilities8190100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Alamogordo, NM

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Alamogordo is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Alamogordo is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Is Alamogordo Affordable?

Is Alamogordo affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Alamogordo, for instance, where the median home price falls 32.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 17.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Alamogordo flaunting a median household income of $45,786, 17.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Alamogordo?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Alamogordo, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.7%.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Alamogordo, the utilities index registers 18.7% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Alamogordo, the groceries index registers 4.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Alamogordo cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Alamogordo is 6% lower than the New Mexico average
  • The cost of living in Alamogordo is 13% lower than the national average
  • Alamogordo housing is 28% lower than the national average
  • New Mexico general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • New Mexico state income tax is 35% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Alamogordo

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Compare Alamogordo, NM Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$55,795$4,650$1,302$1,674
      Renters$33,071$2,756$772$992
      The affordability of the housing market in Alamogordo, NM as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Alamogordo homeowners, the median income is $55,795. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,302 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $33,071. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $772 for their rent related monthly costs.

      New Mexico Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Mexico 5% 8.688%

      New Mexico Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Mexico 1.7% 5.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Alamogordo National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.56$24.261.2%
      Beauty Salon $46.00$45.561.0%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.700.8%
      Shampoo $1.09$1.2815.2%
      Movie $13.00$12.137.1%
      Bowling $14.33$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Alamogordo National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.69$5.842.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.32$1.5716.1%
      Milk $4.53$4.673.0%
      Potatoes $4.15$4.9315.8%
      Pizza $12.38$12.092.4%
      Beer $10.68$10.412.5%

      Health Care

      Item Alamogordo National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $150.67$125.6819.9%
      Doctor $140.33$135.783.4%
      Dentist $113.72$113.290.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.29$10.653.4%
      Lipitor $517.39$468.6010.4%

      Housing

      Item Alamogordo National avg. Difference
      Home Price $125,400.00$184,700.0032.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,303.17$2,346.691.9%
      Apartment Rent $787.00$949.0017.1%

      Transportation

      Item Alamogordo National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.35$3.463.3%
      Tire Balancing $53.65$59.9210.5%

      Utilities

      Item Alamogordo National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $192.00$193.991.0%
      Phone $189.63$192.251.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      La Luz, NM1,7997921.1%
      Tularosa, NM2,9838713.1%
      Boles Acres, NM2,3118911.2%
      Cloudcroft, NM828928.2%
      Holloman AFB, NM3,9431000.3%
      Alamogordo, NM31,6358713.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      American Fork, UT31,63611918.5%
      Bowling Green, OH31,638973.2%
      Clearfield, UT31,6221055.3%
      Laguna Hills, CA31,61318382.6%
      Harker Heights, TX31,657972.9%
      Alamogordo, NM31,6358713.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.