Cost of Living in Cancun - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,365 per month with rent, or $849 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $2,243 per month with rent, or $1,334 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $3,121 per month with rent, or $1,819 without housing.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.37 MX$231
$6.42 MX$111
$25.36 MX$439
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.7 MX$928
$32.20 MX$557
$102 MX$1,760
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.13 MX$175
$9.60 MX$166
$10.67 MX$185
Cappuccino
$3.44 MX$59.5
$1.29 MX$22.24
$5.87 MX$102
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 MX$27.37
$1.08 MX$18.60
$2.95 MX$51.1
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90 MX$15.58
$0.67 MX$11.56
$2.56 MX$44.21
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.04 MX$52.6
$1.61 MX$27.78
$4.81 MX$83.2
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 MX$77.4
$3.15 MX$54.5
$6.84 MX$118
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.43 MX$24.78
$0.97 MX$16.69
$1.50 MX$26.01
White Bread (500g)
$2.54 MX$43.94
$2.19 MX$37.93
$4.38 MX$75.7
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.93 MX$33.40
$1.36 MX$23.45
$2.27 MX$39.26
Eggs
$2.63 MX$45.41
$1.78 MX$30.80
$3.57 MX$61.8
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.32 MX$196
$8.12 MX$140
$15.33 MX$265
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.69 MX$150
$4.49 MX$77.8
$11.25 MX$195
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.72 MX$185
$9.38 MX$162
$13.08 MX$226
Apples (1kg)
$3.25 MX$56.1
$2.14 MX$36.96
$4.44 MX$76.7
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 MX$27.13
$1.04 MX$17.97
$3.25 MX$56.3
Oranges (1kg)
$3.14 MX$54.3
$0.52 MX$9.04
$3.95 MX$68.4
Tomato (1kg)
$2.20 MX$38.04
$0.87 MX$15.11
$3.41 MX$59.0
Potato (1kg)
$2.14 MX$37.01
$1.09 MX$18.85
$2.40 MX$41.55
Onion (1kg)
$2.31 MX$39.97
$1.70 MX$29.49
$3.20 MX$55.4
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 MX$18.61
$1.02 MX$17.72
$1.19 MX$20.56
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 MX$22.14
$0.98 MX$17.03
$1.98 MX$34.22
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20 MX$72.6
$4.10 MX$70.9
$4.20 MX$72.6
Wine (Bottle)
$10.25 MX$177
$2.97 MX$51.3
$14.83 MX$256
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 MX$28.99
$1.05 MX$18.08
$2.28 MX$39.40
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 MX$45.24
$1.35 MX$23.32
$4.09 MX$70.7
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.60 MX$10.42
$0.51 MX$8.77
$0.71 MX$12.24
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.6 MX$1,048
$26.63 MX$461
$76.7 MX$1,327
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.21 MX$72.8
$2.63 MX$45.43
$5.26 MX$91.0
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.48 MX$42.83
$1.50 MX$25.94
$2.89 MX$49.99
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.97 MX$172
$7.88 MX$136
$21.03 MX$364
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 MX$23.01
$1.30 MX$22.49
$1.40 MX$24.24
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K MX$528.1K
$29.3K MX$507.3K
$31.7K MX$548.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.1K MX$416.6K
$22.2K MX$383.3K
$24.1K MX$416.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$116 MX$2,000
$82.2 MX$1,421
$215 MX$3,715
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.15 MX$400
$10.52 MX$182
$26.31 MX$455
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.11 MX$625
$31.38 MX$543
$42.56 MX$736
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.40 MX$439
$21.36 MX$370
$26.77 MX$463
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.07 MX$416
$9.86 MX$170
$24.07 MX$416
Cinema Ticket
$6.06 MX$105
$4.55 MX$78.6
$10.13 MX$175
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$197 MX$3,413
$157 MX$2,712
$392 MX$6,781
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,199 MX$89.9K
$2,836 MX$49.0K
$7,561 MX$130.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.9 MX$932
$36.83 MX$637
$68.4 MX$1,183
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.89 MX$690
$26.61 MX$460
$53.2 MX$920
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.7 MX$1,430
$53.4 MX$923
$107 MX$1,845
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 MX$1,930
$53.9 MX$933
$216 MX$3,730
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$616 MX$10.7K
$314 MX$5,427
$1,255 MX$21.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$459 MX$7,931
$270 MX$4,665
$917 MX$15.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,267 MX$21.9K
$786 MX$13.6K
$2,358 MX$40.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 MX$17.5K
$700 MX$12.1K
$1,347 MX$23.3K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,189 MX$37.9K
$1,311 MX$22.7K
$3,068 MX$53.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,287 MX$39.6K
$2,026 MX$35.0K
$3,068 MX$53.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$803 MX$13.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.42
11
11.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $616, dropping to $459 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 77% of the average salary ($803) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $803 – below monthly costs of $1,365. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $282 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $54.0.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $60.6.

Cost Highlights

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 95% of cities in North America

Gasoline is more expensive than 94% of cities in North America

Average monthly net salary is lower than 94% of cities in North America

Cancun Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Cancun - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cancun affordable for long stays, and who tends to get good value there compared to other beach destinations?
Compared to many resort towns, Cancun offers a practical mix of value and lifestyle for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. A wide range of housing exists – from modest apartments in central neighborhoods to longer-term rentals near quieter districts – plus cheaper meals from mercados and street vendors. Seasonal demand can push prices briefly upward, but you can keep costs predictable by cooking at home and choosing flexible workspaces. Cost of Living in Cancun, Mexico varies by location and pace, so a well-chosen neighborhood matters. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test internet reliability and nearby services.
What does daily life look like in Cancun in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Cancun daily life blends beach access with practical routines. Your housing hunt often starts online, then local agents help with leases in central neighborhoods or quieter inland zones. Groceries come from mercados, fresh produce stands, and modern supermarkets, while street food and casual eateries keep meals affordable and varied. Transport is flexible: reliable buses and colectivos cover most routes, with taxis for late nights or airport runs. Co-working spaces cluster around the Hotel Zone and downtown, making remote work convenient. Cancun, Mexico living cost varies by area, so compare districts before you commit. Tip: test a week of living in a couple of neighborhoods to gauge pace and connectivity.
How can you think about quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit to optimize your stay?
Quality of life here blends sunny mornings with accessible services and a lively culture. A simple budgeting framework helps you stay flexible: prioritize housing and meals, then allocate for occasional experiences and travel. Save by cooking at home, using public transit, and choosing neighborhoods away from heavy tourist zones when possible. Seasonality affects crowds, weather, and activity calendars, so plan around shoulder seasons for easier access to services. For neighborhood fit, weigh proximity to beaches versus quieter streets, safety, and access to coworking, gyms, and markets. Tip: build a lightweight plan that lets you adapt to weather and events.
Is the cost of living in Cancun reasonable?
Cancun is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,365. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
Is Cancun affordable on an average income?
Cancun sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,365, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
How does the average salary in Cancun compare to the cost of living?
The average net salary in Cancun is about $803, while comfortable living starts around $2,048. With total costs hitting $1,365 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost to rent in Cancun?
In Cancun's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $616 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $459. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How expensive is preschool in Cancun per month?
Private kindergarten in Cancun costs about $197 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Cancun?
Expect to pay about $25.40 per month for a gym in Cancun – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Does $2,000 cover living expenses in Cancun?
$2,000 is below the $1,365 average in Cancun, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What are the pros and cons of living in Cancun?
Quality of life in Cancun is genuinely good – highlights include fast internet, vibrant nightlife, family-friendly facilities, and monthly costs hover around $1,365. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.
Is Cancun affordable for the average person?
Cancun is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,365, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Can budget travelers get by in Cancun?
Cancun is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,365, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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