Cost of Living in Chapala - Updated Prices & Insights

38.24

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $532 (excluding rent), and $1,025 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,325 (excluding rent), and $2,014 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.1 MX$153

$5.22 MX$98.7

$19.59 MX$370

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.81 MX$639

$20.81 MX$393

$52 MX$984

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.79 MX$128

$4.96 MX$93.7

$7.32 MX$138

Cappuccino

$3.23 MX$61

$1.97 MX$37.18

$4.66 MX$88.1

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 MX$37.35

$0.78 MX$14.68

$1.98 MX$37.35

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 MX$18.34

$0.51 MX$9.72

$1.54 MX$29.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.99 MX$37.55

$2.35 MX$44.47

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 MX$60.9

$2.42 MX$45.74

$4.84 MX$91.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 MX$31.1

$0.97 MX$18.35

$2.1 MX$39.79

White Bread (500g)

$2.72 MX$51.5

$1.43 MX$27.01

$4.05 MX$76.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.6 MX$30.3

$1.09 MX$20.59

$2.28 MX$43.12

Eggs

$2.13 MX$40.35

$1.43 MX$26.96

$3.08 MX$58.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.01 MX$151

$3.16 MX$59.7

$12.78 MX$242

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.39 MX$140

$4.3 MX$81.3

$16.13 MX$305

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.84 MX$148

$4.9 MX$92.6

$13.61 MX$257

Apples (1kg)

$2.23 MX$42.16

$0.8 MX$15.14

$3.21 MX$60.8

Banana (1kg)

$0.96 MX$18.21

$0.82 MX$15.46

$1.92 MX$36.22

Oranges (1kg)

$0.84 MX$15.79

$0.51 MX$9.62

$5.08 MX$96

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 MX$27.67

$0.54 MX$10.18

$4.3 MX$81.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.42 MX$26.8

$0.54 MX$10.22

$2.38 MX$44.92

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 MX$19.39

$0.55 MX$10.38

$2.47 MX$46.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.9 MX$16.92

$0.78 MX$14.69

$1.56 MX$29.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 MX$16.54

$0.81 MX$15.37

$1.09 MX$20.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.97 MX$75

$3.48 MX$65.9

$5.09 MX$96.2

Wine (Bottle)

$9.32 MX$176

$7.76 MX$147

$12.94 MX$245

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.4 MX$26.51

$0.8 MX$15.17

$2.15 MX$40.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.6 MX$30.23

$1.03 MX$19.54

$3.09 MX$58.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.61 MX$11.48

$0.67 MX$12.57

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.08 MX$20.37

$0.86 MX$16.33

$2.68 MX$50.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.44 MX$27.28

$0.48 MX$9.16

$2.41 MX$45.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.15 MX$59.6

$2.62 MX$49.61

$15.77 MX$298

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 MX$24.78

$1.24 MX$23.44

$1.35 MX$25.55

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.4K MX$347.9K

$23.5K MX$444.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$18.4K MX$348.7K

$23.6K MX$445.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$48.95 MX$925

$26.79 MX$506

$71.1 MX$1,345

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$16.78 MX$317

$9.91 MX$187

$24.77 MX$468

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.97 MX$491

$20.8 MX$393

$29.4 MX$556

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.04 MX$473

$21.13 MX$399

$42.25 MX$799

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.73 MX$260

$6.86 MX$130

$13.73 MX$260

Cinema Ticket

$4.17 MX$78.8

$2.97 MX$56.1

$4.69 MX$88.7

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$185 MX$3,488

$108 MX$2,037

$269 MX$5,092

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,613 MX$49.4K

$1,897 MX$35.9K

$6,322 MX$119.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.58 MX$805

$69.1 MX$1,307

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.73 MX$297

$14.42 MX$273

$47.18 MX$892

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.3 MX$1,272

$32.31 MX$611

$113 MX$2,137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.3 MX$1,046

$22.13 MX$418

$124 MX$2,335

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$462 MX$8,743

$320 MX$6,054

$534 MX$10.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$415 MX$7,842

$363 MX$6,862

$467 MX$8,823

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$781 MX$14.8K

$742 MX$14K

$1,301 MX$24.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$639 MX$12.1K

$533 MX$10.1K

$1,065 MX$20.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$696 MX$13.2K

$539 MX$10.2K

$997 MX$18.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$682 MX$12.9K

$306 MX$5,791

$792 MX$15K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.24

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

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Chapala - Frequently Asked Questions

Chapala offers a steady, lakeside lifestyle with approachable costs for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You will find affordable groceries at local markets, casual dining, and the option to scale comfort as needed. Housing tends toward characterful lakeside houses and modern apartments in Ajijic-adjacent zones, with choices across budgets. Utilities and transport can stay economical if you prioritize walkable areas or shared transit. The vibe blends traditional Mexican daily life with a relaxed, safety-conscious expat scene, making it practical for short trips or longer stays. Cost of Living in Chapala, Mexico reflects this balance. Tip: Start with flexible, month-by-month plans and test a few neighborhoods before committing.

In Chapala, daily life unfolds with practical anchors. Housing search often centers on lakeside towns like Chapala proper and nearby Ajijic, where walking, quiet streets, and natural light shape options. Food is plentiful through mercados, street vendors, and modern supermarkets; plan for fresh produce several times a week. Transport leans on short rides, buses, or bikes; you may rely on taxis for longer trips. Co-working and coffee spots exist with decent connectivity. Errands are manageable in town centers, and seasonal tourist flow can affect crowds. Chapala, Mexico living cost remains approachable for steady routines. Tip: Map a weekly budget and test different neighborhoods during your first month.

Build a simple budgeting framework around housing, groceries, and personal priorities. Start with a baseline for a comfortable home in the lakeside zone, then adjust as you explore neighborhoods like San Antonio or the promenade, noting distance to essentials. Seasonal flow matters: some months bring more crowds; favorable weather supports outdoor meals, walking, and low-cost activities. Save by cooking at home, using local markets, and choosing public transport when practical. Embrace flexible work hours to enjoy cooler mornings or evenings for outdoor productivity. Neighborhood fit comes from trying a few weeks in different areas and asking locals about safety, amenities, and climate comfort. Tip: Establish a weekly menu, transit plan, and a test-week rental in your top two areas.