Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and Bansko

For one person, living is cheaper in Bansko: $970 a month against $1,661 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, rent and utilities included – about $8,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,661
/mo nomad
Bansko
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$970
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and in Bansko

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

A single person spends $1,661 per month in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur vs $970 in Bansko, rent included.

  • Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur $1,661
  • Bansko $970

A couple spends around $2,454 per month in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur vs $1,464 in Bansko, rent included.

  • Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur $2,454
  • Bansko $1,464

A family of three spends $3,248 per month in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur vs $1,957 in Bansko, rent included.

  • Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur $3,248
  • Bansko $1,957

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur costs about 71% more than Bansko, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur sits 24% above the global median, while Bansko is 28% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.31 MX$189
$8.66 BGN 15.15
19.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.6 MX$929
$46.63 BGN 81.6
8.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.14 MX$186
$9.01 BGN 15.77
12.54%
Cappuccino
$3.53 MX$64.8
$2.24 BGN 3.92
57.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49 MX$27.43
$1.50 BGN 2.63
-0.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 MX$18.15
$0.86 BGN 1.51
15.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.51 MX$46.03
$1.76 BGN 3.07
42.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47 MX$82.0
$2.00 BGN 3.51
123.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.77 MX$32.49
$1.79 BGN 3.14
-1.12%
White Bread (500g)
$3.18 MX$58.3
$0.81 BGN 1.42
292.59%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.56 MX$47.04
$1.52 BGN 2.66
68.42%
Eggs
$2.35 MX$43.21
$2.30 BGN 4.02
2.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.62 MX$213
$9.60 BGN 16.81
21.04%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.11 MX$186
$6.32 BGN 11.06
59.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.70 MX$252
$8.64 BGN 15.12
58.56%
Apples (1kg)
$2.73 MX$50.1
$1.28 BGN 2.24
113.28%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 MX$28.40
$1.68 BGN 2.95
-7.74%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.59 MX$29.24
$1.70 BGN 2.98
-6.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.73 MX$31.81
$1.89 BGN 3.30
-8.47%
Potato (1kg)
$1.26 MX$23.09
$0.93 BGN 1.63
35.48%
Onion (1kg)
$1.85 MX$33.89
$0.76 BGN 1.32
143.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.77 MX$50.9
$0.54 BGN 0.95
412.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.38
$0.58 BGN 1.02
118.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.06 MX$92.9
$3.44 BGN 6.02
47.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.19 MX$205
$5.14 BGN 9.00
117.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 MX$27.37
$1.11 BGN 1.94
34.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 MX$64.8
$1.70 BGN 2.97
107.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 MX$15.98
$0.88 BGN 1.55
-1.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.2 MX$976
$26.76 BGN 46.83
98.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.37 MX$80.2
$1.29 BGN 2.26
238.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.06 MX$56.1
$0.65 BGN 1.14
370.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.59 MX$194
$10.18 BGN 17.81
4.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 MX$26.78
$1.50 BGN 2.63
-2.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K MX$394.1K
$28.8K BGN 50.4K
-25.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K MX$448.0K
$21.5K BGN 37.5K
13.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$86.9 MX$1,595
$91.4 BGN 160
-5.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.56 MX$469
$14.68 BGN 25.68
74.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.06 MX$589
$12.07 BGN 21.12
165.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.89 MX$843
$32.28 BGN 56.5
42.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.59 MX$562
$8.60 BGN 15.05
255.70%
Cinema Ticket
$4.24 MX$77.8
$5.63 BGN 9.86
-24.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$231 MX$4,246
$228 BGN 400
1.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,373 MX$153.7K
$2,311 BGN 4,045
262.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.7 MX$1,335
$30.48 BGN 53.3
138.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.3 MX$979
$19.01 BGN 33.26
180.54%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.2 MX$1,785
$45.53 BGN 79.7
113.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.5 MX$1,240
$48.67 BGN 85.2
38.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,197 MX$22.0K
$521 BGN 913
129.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$758 MX$13.9K
$367 BGN 643
106.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,543 MX$46.7K
$634 BGN 1,110
300.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,215 MX$22.3K
$558 BGN 976
117.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,814 MX$70.0K
$1,204 BGN 2,106
216.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,196 MX$40.3K
$971 BGN 1,699
126.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Bansko
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$756 MX$13.9K
$1,670 BGN 2,923
-54.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.6
2.99
287.96%

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

Last update for Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur: October 5, 2026

Last update for Bansko: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$758
Bansko
$367 51.6% $391
Groceries & Markets
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$304
Bansko
$193 36.5% $111
Eating Out
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$187
Bansko
$145 22.1% $41
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$144
Bansko
$118 18.2% $26
Clothing & Footwear
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$131
Bansko
$65 50.6% $66
Getting Around
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$76
Bansko
$35 54.3% $41
Sport & Entertainment
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
$54
Bansko
$44 19.9% $11

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,197 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur versus $521 in Bansko. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 121% higher in Bansko, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur versus $47.00 in Bansko. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $304 vs $193 – making Bansko the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
🇧🇬 Bansko
🕒 Local time
19:05 7:05 PM
05:05 5:05 AM
10 h ahead of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
202,694
8,000
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

BGN, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 18.36 MXN (100 MXN = 5.45 USD). 1 EUR = 20.59 MXN (100 MXN = 4.86 EUR).

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1.75 BGN (1 BGN = 0.571 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.509 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur Bansko 11,370 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
  • Bansko

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur vs Bansko: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and in Bansko compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,661 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, $970 in Bansko – roughly 71% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur compared to Bansko?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,491 per month in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and $1,455 in Bansko. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and Bansko?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bansko, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and $47.00 in Bansko. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur or Bansko?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,661 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and $970 in Bansko. That's a gap of about 71%.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bansko, where all-in costs run around $970, than in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur at $1,661. In Bansko it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and Bansko?
It depends on your priorities. Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $970 in Bansko to $1,661 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur or Bansko safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and Bansko?
If budget matters most, go with Bansko. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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