Gallup, NM vs Los Alamos, NM

The cost of living difference between Gallup, NM and Los Alamos, NM is dramatic. Gallup is 37% cheaper than Los Alamos, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gallup has a cost index of 69 while Los Alamos sits at 110, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gallup is $858/month compared to $1,304/month in Los Alamos — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gallup is more affordable at $134,600 median vs $458,200.

Median household income in Gallup is $57,466 compared to $136,502 in Los Alamos (-57.9%). While Los Alamos is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gallup spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Los Alamos.