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Gallup, NM

Cost of living in McKinley County, NM

Estimated monthly cost
$2,559/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 71,172 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $799 31%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $341 13%
Groceries $326 13%
Transport $320 13%
Energy $130 5%
State tax $103 4%
Water $60 2%

Rent in McKinley County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$652
per month
1 bedroom
$799
per month
2 bedroom
$951
per month
3 bedroom
$1,169
per month
4 bedroom
$1,261
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in McKinley County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$44,496
per year
Individual earnings
$30,935
per year
Per capita
$19,580
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in McKinley County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$72,100
Annual property tax
$1,362

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in McKinley County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$92
per month · 15.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$38
per month
Annual total
$1,560
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in McKinley County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
19.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in McKinley County

State and local tax rates for New Mexico.

State income tax
5.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.0%
Combined sales tax
7.7%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in McKinley County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.0 min
Drive alone
80.0%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
9.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for McKinley County

What it costs to live in McKinley County each month.

Single person
$2,559
per month
  • Rent $799
  • Energy $130
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $341
  • State tax $103
Couple
$3,570
per month
  • Rent $951
  • Energy $156
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $411
  • State tax $158
Family
$5,908
per month
  • Rent $1,169
  • Energy $195
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $411
  • State tax $158

Frequently asked questions about McKinley County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in McKinley County?

In McKinley County, NM, a one-bedroom apartment averages $799 per month, a two-bedroom averages $951 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,169 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in McKinley County?

In McKinley County, NM, the average household income is $44,496 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $30,935 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in McKinley County?

The estimated cost of living in McKinley County, NM is approximately $2,559 per month for a single person, $3,570 for a couple, $5,908 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in McKinley County?

The combined sales tax rate in McKinley County, NM is 7.72%, which includes the New Mexico state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 2.72%.

Is McKinley County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in McKinley County, NM would need approximately $2,559 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $44,496 per year ($3,708 per month). McKinley County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in McKinley County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in McKinley County, NM is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 19.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in McKinley County?

The average home value in McKinley County, NM is $72,100, with average annual property taxes of $1,362, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does McKinley County compare to other areas?

You can compare McKinley County, NM with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. McKinley County is in the Gallup, NM metro area.

Other counties in New Mexico

Browse the full list of counties in New Mexico, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New Mexico

Compare McKinley County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources