😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,652 in Gallup, NM versus $1,003 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,927 in Gallup, NM versus $1,573 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,202 in Gallup, NM versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Gallup, NM is roughly 165% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Gallup, NM is 99% above, Medellin is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.67$19.67
$5.91COP 18.6K
232.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2$60.2
$32.96COP 103.8K
82.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.83$11.83
$7.43COP 23.4K
59.22%
Cappuccino
$5.95$5.95
$1.65COP 5,207
260.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85$2.85
$1.10COP 3,468
159.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31$2.31
$0.78COP 2,458
196.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.59$6.59
$1.72COP 5,412
283.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.03$7.03
$3.18COP 10.0K
121.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18$1.18
$1.10COP 3,474
7.27%
White Bread(500g)
$3.97$3.97
$1.26COP 3,962
215.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.27$3.27
$1.38COP 4,349
136.96%
Eggs
$5.17$5.17
$2.18COP 6,858
137.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.39$16.39
$4.49COP 14.1K
265.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.82$15.82
$5.79COP 18.2K
173.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.20$20.20
$8.97COP 28.2K
125.20%
Apples(1kg)
$5.90$5.90
$2.32COP 7,308
154.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.36$1.36
$1.06COP 3,352
28.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.60$6.60
$1.52COP 4,774
334.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.27$6.27
$1.36COP 4,270
361.03%
Potato(1kg)
$5.40$5.40
$1.13COP 3,552
377.88%
Onion(1kg)
$2.64$2.64
$1.17COP 3,689
125.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.48$1.48
$0.90COP 2,838
64.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.28$2.28
$0.90COP 2,823
153.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.56$9.56
$2.23COP 7,034
328.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.76$12.76
$12.12COP 38.2K
5.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14$2.14
$1.19COP 3,743
79.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26$4.26
$2.48COP 7,815
71.77%
🚌 Getting Around
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.04$2.04
$0.85COP 2,687
140.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.48$3.48
$1.42COP 4,459
145.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.78$1.78
$1.95COP 6,141
-8.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.79$28.79
$7.89COP 24.8K
264.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$0.99COP 3,118
-15.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4K$28.4K
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
61.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1K$29.1K
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
8.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$201$201
$83.0COP 261.4K
142.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.45$44.45
$9.70COP 30.5K
358.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.7$50.7
$23.52COP 74.1K
115.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.71$43.71
$25.26COP 79.5K
73.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.11$15.11
$3.95COP 12.4K
282.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,011$1,011
$316COP 994.2K
220.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.5K$15.5K
$5,975COP 18.8M
159.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.09$48.09
$60.0COP 188.9K
-19.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.4$56.4
$31.82COP 100.2K
77.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.3$87.3
$102COP 320.1K
-14.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109$109
$107COP 338.3K
1.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$995$995
$475COP 1.5M
109.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,373$1,373
$374COP 1.2M
267.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,831$1,831
$849COP 2.7M
115.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,199$2,199
$719COP 2.3M
205.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,899$2,899
$3,265COP 10.3M
-11.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,526$2,526
$1,441COP 4.5M
75.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gallup, NM
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,397$2,397
$624COP 2.0M
283.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
13.43
-62.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gallup, NM: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $995 in Gallup, NM and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Gallup, NM pays 284% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $60.0 in Gallup, NM vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $469 vs $193 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Gallup, NM vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Gallup, NM?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 165% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Gallup, NM or Medellin?
Average pay runs 284% higher in Gallup, NM, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Gallup, NM and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $995 in Gallup, NM versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $1,011 in Gallup, NM versus $316 in Medellin. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Gallup, NM or in Medellin?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $60.0 in Gallup, NM. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Gallup, NM or in Medellin?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,652 in Gallup, NM, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Gallup, NM. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Gallup, NM or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Gallup, NM, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 165% less than in Gallup, NM. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Gallup, NM vs other spots: cost of living compared