Last update: Oct 2026 Mexico 888.8K

Cost of Living in Cancun

For one person, living costs in Cancun are estimated at $1,398 a month, including rent and utilities, which take just under half of the total. Other living expenses average about $25 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cancun

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cancun actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,398 per month with rent, or $771 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,398 /mo

A couple spends around $2,267 per month with rent, or $1,339 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,267 /mo

A family of three spends around $3,136 per month with rent, or $1,906 without housing.

$3,136 /mo
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.84 MX$200
$6.50 MX$120
$24.72 MX$457
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.8 MX$994
$32.26 MX$596
$86.0 MX$1,590
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.55 MX$213
$9.96 MX$184
$12.12 MX$224
Cappuccino
$3.86 MX$71.4
$2.23 MX$41.23
$5.09 MX$94.1
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 MX$24.78
$1.11 MX$20.50
$1.94 MX$35.78
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84 MX$15.57
$0.74 MX$13.64
$1.14 MX$21.14
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.06 MX$56.6
$1.60 MX$29.55
$4.78 MX$88.3
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13 MX$76.3
$3.20 MX$59.1
$6.12 MX$113
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.64 MX$30.29
$1.30 MX$23.95
$1.99 MX$36.83
White Bread (500g)
$2.58 MX$47.72
$2.16 MX$39.92
$4.32 MX$79.8
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.68 MX$31.12
$1.39 MX$25.68
$4.47 MX$82.7
Eggs
$2.80 MX$51.7
$2.02 MX$37.28
$3.58 MX$66.2
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.89 MX$183
$4.43 MX$81.8
$15.57 MX$288
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.81 MX$163
$5.49 MX$101
$22.06 MX$408
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.21 MX$263
$9.99 MX$185
$44.41 MX$821
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 MX$54.1
$2.24 MX$41.40
$4.49 MX$83.0
Banana (1kg)
$1.67 MX$30.88
$1.13 MX$20.84
$2.24 MX$41.48
Oranges (1kg)
$3.01 MX$55.5
$0.53 MX$9.89
$3.89 MX$71.9
Tomato (1kg)
$2.19 MX$40.55
$0.87 MX$16.15
$2.72 MX$50.3
Potato (1kg)
$1.94 MX$35.91
$1.05 MX$19.49
$2.41 MX$44.57
Onion (1kg)
$1.96 MX$36.26
$1.53 MX$28.27
$2.21 MX$40.91
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 MX$21.23
$0.97 MX$17.96
$1.89 MX$34.84
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22 MX$22.51
$1.09 MX$20.13
$1.62 MX$30.02
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.34 MX$80.3
$4.23 MX$78.2
$5.59 MX$103
Wine (Bottle)
$10.03 MX$185
$6.69 MX$124
$13.94 MX$258
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59 MX$29.38
$1.11 MX$20.59
$2.50 MX$46.23
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80 MX$51.8
$1.54 MX$28.37
$4.08 MX$75.5
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.68 MX$12.66
$0.57 MX$10.55
$0.68 MX$12.66
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.10 MX$538
$27.89 MX$515
$80.3 MX$1,484
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.33 MX$79.9
$2.71 MX$50.0
$5.41 MX$100
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.82 MX$52.1
$2.67 MX$49.35
$3.21 MX$59.3
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.71 MX$253
$5.48 MX$101
$21.93 MX$405
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.53 MX$28.28
$1.42 MX$26.19
$1.59 MX$29.42
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K MX$394.3K
$21.3K MX$394.3K
$21.3K MX$394.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K MX$439.8K
$23.1K MX$427.3K
$24.8K MX$457.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 MX$3,149
$139 MX$2,571
$223 MX$4,113
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.44 MX$433
$10.82 MX$200
$32.45 MX$600
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.92 MX$719
$32.92 MX$608
$78.1 MX$1,443
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.26 MX$596
$26.88 MX$497
$48.39 MX$894
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.21 MX$244
$4.85 MX$89.7
$21.57 MX$399
Cinema Ticket
$7.29 MX$135
$4.86 MX$89.8
$10.80 MX$200
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$204 MX$3,761
$162 MX$2,989
$270 MX$4,981
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,396 MX$99.7K
$2,943 MX$54.4K
$7,849 MX$145.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1 MX$999
$48.65 MX$899
$59.5 MX$1,099
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3 MX$1,021
$38.69 MX$715
$82.9 MX$1,532
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.0 MX$1,368
$54.2 MX$1,001
$86.7 MX$1,602
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.0 MX$1,737
$82.9 MX$1,532
$105 MX$1,941
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$660 MX$12.2K
$498 MX$9,205
$1,328 MX$24.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$457 MX$8,445
$332 MX$6,126
$994 MX$18.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,404 MX$26.0K
$1,275 MX$23.6K
$1,552 MX$28.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,059 MX$19.6K
$872 MX$16.1K
$1,363 MX$25.2K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,266 MX$23.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,945 MX$35.9K
$1,945 MX$35.9K
$1,945 MX$35.9K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$801 MX$14.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.45
10
11.6

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

Last update: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Cancun $1,398
Accommodation & Living
$457
Groceries & Markets
$287
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$233
Eating Out
$200
Clothing & Footwear
$125
Getting Around
$50
Sport & Entertainment
$47

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $660, dropping to $457 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 82% of the average salary ($801) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $801 – below monthly costs of $1,398. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $287 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $54.0.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $29.10.

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

Local beer is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
10:12 10:12 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
888,797
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.78 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

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Cancun Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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 $1,398. 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 $1,398, 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 $801, while comfortable living starts around $2,098. With total costs hitting $1,398 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?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Cancun runs about $660 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $457. 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 $204 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 $32.26 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 $1,398 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 $1,398. 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 $1,398, 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 $1,398, 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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