A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
27%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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 Gallup New Mexico National
Cost of living9093100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries9797100
Health care9697100
Housing7386100
Transportation9395100
Utilities9990100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Gallup, NM

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Gallup 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 Gallup is 92, which is 8% 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.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Gallup are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Gallup can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Gallup Affordable?

Wondering if Gallup is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Gallup, for example, the median home price is 24% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 28.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Gallup boasting a median household income of $68,638, which is 15.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gallup?

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Gallup, the transportation index is 5.9% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Gallup, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates kick off at 1.7%.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Gallup 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Gallup is 3% lower than the New Mexico average
  • The cost of living in Gallup is 10% lower than the national average
  • Gallup housing is 27% 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 Gallup

See all the best places to live around Gallup

Compare Gallup, NM Cost of Living

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      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$58,429$4,869$1,363$1,753
      Renters$26,002$2,167$607$780
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Gallup, NM, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Gallup, homeowners have a median income of $58,429. Using that number, a maximum of $1,363 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $26,002, which means there is a maximum of $607 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Gallup National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.90$24.2631.5%
      Beauty Salon $50.83$45.5611.6%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.3%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.2810.5%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $20.89$18.0016.1%

      Groceries

      Item Gallup National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.11$5.8412.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.32$1.5716.1%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $4.18$4.9315.3%
      Pizza $13.42$12.0911.0%
      Beer $11.07$10.416.4%

      Health Care

      Item Gallup National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $136.89$125.688.9%
      Doctor $134.17$135.781.2%
      Dentist $111.42$113.291.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.43$10.652.1%
      Lipitor $380.06$468.6018.9%

      Housing

      Item Gallup National avg. Difference
      Home Price $135,500.00$184,700.0026.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,905.97$2,346.6918.8%
      Apartment Rent $675.00$949.0028.9%

      Transportation

      Item Gallup National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.50$3.461.1%
      Tire Balancing $43.87$59.9226.8%

      Utilities

      Item Gallup National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $191.24$193.991.4%
      Phone $190.51$192.250.9%
      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.
      Rock Springs, NM1,166982.1%
      Twin Lakes, NM1,1197921.2%
      Yah-ta-hey, NM6277920.8%
      Church Rock, NM1,3548020.1%
      Gallup, NM21,637909.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sedalia, MO21,6348416.2%
      Coralville, IA21,6301054.9%
      Lealman, FL21,621909.6%
      Albertville, AL21,6208910.5%
      Prichard, AL21,6188218.0%
      Gallup, NM21,637909.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.