Cost of Living in Chapala - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $488 (excluding rent), and $992 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,255 (excluding rent), and $1,992 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.21 MX$150

$5.3 MX$97

$19.87 MX$364

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.82 MX$619

$20.81 MX$381

$52 MX$952

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.76 MX$124

$4.93 MX$90.3

$7.28 MX$133

Cappuccino

$3.34 MX$61.1

$2.03 MX$37.23

$4.82 MX$88.2

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

$2.03 MX$37.14

$0.8 MX$14.6

$2.03 MX$37.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 MX$17.78

$0.51 MX$9.43

$1.54 MX$28.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.96 MX$35.91

$2.32 MX$42.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.11 MX$57

$2.34 MX$42.78

$4.67 MX$85.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.56 MX$28.59

$0.92 MX$16.87

$2 MX$36.58

White Bread (500g)

$2.64 MX$48.33

$1.38 MX$25.34

$3.93 MX$71.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.6 MX$29.24

$1.09 MX$19.87

$2.27 MX$41.61

Eggs

$2.18 MX$39.85

$1.45 MX$26.63

$3.14 MX$57.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.23 MX$151

$3.25 MX$59.4

$13.14 MX$240

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.44 MX$136

$4.33 MX$79.3

$16.25 MX$297

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.8 MX$143

$4.87 MX$89.2

$13.53 MX$248

Apples (1kg)

$2.15 MX$39.35

$0.77 MX$14.13

$3.1 MX$56.7

Banana (1kg)

$0.9 MX$16.44

$0.76 MX$13.96

$1.79 MX$32.7

Oranges (1kg)

$0.9 MX$16.44

$0.55 MX$10.02

$5.46 MX$100

Tomato (1kg)

$1.48 MX$27.05

$0.54 MX$9.95

$4.34 MX$79.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 MX$25.18

$0.52 MX$9.6

$2.31 MX$42.21

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 MX$18.5

$0.54 MX$9.9

$2.43 MX$44.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 MX$16.29

$0.77 MX$14.14

$1.55 MX$28.46

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 MX$16

$0.81 MX$14.87

$1.09 MX$19.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 MX$75.3

$3.61 MX$66.1

$5.28 MX$96.6

Wine (Bottle)

$9.68 MX$177

$8.07 MX$148

$13.45 MX$246

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 MX$24.73

$0.77 MX$14.16

$2.08 MX$37.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 MX$29.66

$1.05 MX$19.17

$3.13 MX$57.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.61 MX$11.24

$0.67 MX$12.31

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.08 MX$19.82

$0.87 MX$15.89

$2.7 MX$49.36

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 MX$27.1

$0.5 MX$9.1

$2.47 MX$45.29

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 MX$56.3

$2.56 MX$46.88

$15.4 MX$282

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 MX$23.36

$1.21 MX$22.09

$1.32 MX$24.08

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

$18.9K MX$346.1K

$24.2K MX$442.5K

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

$18.9K MX$346.9K

$24.2K MX$443.5K

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

$49.21 MX$901

$26.93 MX$493

$71.5 MX$1,309

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

$16.69 MX$305

$9.85 MX$180

$24.63 MX$451

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.2 MX$480

$20.98 MX$384

$29.66 MX$543

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.85 MX$455

$20.97 MX$384

$41.93 MX$768

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.75 MX$288

$7.87 MX$144

$15.75 MX$288

Cinema Ticket

$4.28 MX$78.4

$3.05 MX$55.8

$4.82 MX$88.2

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

$178 MX$3,257

$104 MX$1,902

$260 MX$4,755

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,658 MX$48.6K

$1,929 MX$35.3K

$6,430 MX$117.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.94 MX$768

$68.1 MX$1,246

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.99 MX$293

$14.66 MX$268

$47.98 MX$878

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.9 MX$1,224

$32.09 MX$587

$112 MX$2,056

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.7 MX$983

$21.48 MX$393

$120 MX$2,195

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$463 MX$8,467

$320 MX$5,864

$534 MX$9,769

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$431 MX$7,884

$377 MX$6,898

$485 MX$8,869

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$791 MX$14.5K

$752 MX$13.8K

$1,319 MX$24.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$632 MX$11.6K

$527 MX$9,640

$1,053 MX$19.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$698 MX$12.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$709 MX$13K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.24

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.