Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Puerto Escondido and Acapulco

For one person, living is cheaper in Acapulco: $851 a month against $1,219 in Puerto Escondido, rent and utilities included – about $4,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Acapulco, Mexico
Puerto Escondido
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,219
/mo nomad
Acapulco
🇲🇽 Mexico
$851
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Puerto Escondido and in Acapulco

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

A single person spends $1,219 per month in Puerto Escondido vs $851 in Acapulco, rent included.

  • Puerto Escondido $1,219
  • Acapulco $851

A couple spends around $1,895 per month in Puerto Escondido vs $1,422 in Acapulco, rent included.

  • Puerto Escondido $1,895
  • Acapulco $1,422

A family of three spends $2,572 per month in Puerto Escondido vs $1,992 in Acapulco, rent included.

  • Puerto Escondido $2,572
  • Acapulco $1,992

Puerto Escondido costs about 43% more than Acapulco, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Puerto Escondido and Acapulco are more affordable than the global median – Puerto Escondido 10% lower, Acapulco 37% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.04 MX$187
$9.42 MX$176
6.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.27 MX$788
$37.67 MX$702
12.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.37 MX$156
$12.07 MX$225
-30.65%
Cappuccino
$3.49 MX$65.0
$3.69 MX$68.8
-5.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 MX$24.70
$1.55 MX$28.82
-14.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01 MX$18.78
$1.58 MX$29.52
-36.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.98 MX$55.5
$2.89 MX$53.9
3.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11 MX$76.7
$4.91 MX$91.5
-16.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 MX$33.60
$1.63 MX$30.30
10.43%
White Bread (500g)
$2.81 MX$52.4
$2.93 MX$54.6
-4.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.55 MX$28.83
$1.59 MX$29.70
-2.52%
Eggs
$2.69 MX$50.2
$1.74 MX$32.45
54.60%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.00 MX$149
$6.58 MX$123
21.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.93 MX$204
$7.87 MX$147
38.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.46 MX$214
$10.88 MX$203
5.33%
Apples (1kg)
$2.75 MX$51.3
$4.60 MX$85.7
-40.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 MX$30.70
$1.69 MX$31.50
-2.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.87 MX$34.86
$3.24 MX$60.4
-42.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.77 MX$33.04
$3.08 MX$57.4
-42.53%
Potato (1kg)
$1.61 MX$29.97
$3.42 MX$63.7
-52.92%
Onion (1kg)
$2.05 MX$38.15
$2.90 MX$54.1
-29.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.47 MX$27.36
$1.27 MX$23.73
15.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 MX$21.14
$0.78 MX$14.45
44.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.42 MX$82.5
$8.03 MX$150
-44.96%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.36 MX$193
$6.42 MX$120
61.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32 MX$43.16
$1.06 MX$19.84
118.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03 MX$56.5
$2.68 MX$49.92
13.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.79 MX$14.68
$0.90 MX$16.85
-12.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.45 MX$586
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.61 MX$48.59
$4.98 MX$92.9
-47.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.77 MX$32.98
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.22 MX$209
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 MX$25.12
$1.44 MX$26.83
-6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K MX$394.5K
$20.9K MX$388.9K
1.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K MX$405.7K
$23.7K MX$441.0K
-7.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.7 MX$964
$38.78 MX$723
33.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.32 MX$416
$14.73 MX$275
51.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.63 MX$664
$21.60 MX$403
64.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.21 MX$507
$18.91 MX$353
43.89%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.22 MX$377
$13.42 MX$250
50.67%
Cinema Ticket
$5.02 MX$93.5
$3.87 MX$72.1
29.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$216 MX$4,018
$160 MX$2,986
34.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,627 MX$86.2K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.7 MX$945
$65.6 MX$1,223
-22.73%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.62 MX$813
$43.66 MX$814
-0.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.1 MX$1,586
$110 MX$2,044
-22.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.7 MX$1,820
$81.4 MX$1,518
19.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$598 MX$11.1K
$526 MX$9,806
13.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$439 MX$8,175
$147 MX$2,738
198.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$938 MX$17.5K
$953 MX$17.8K
-1.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$753 MX$14.0K
$320 MX$5,973
135.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,004 MX$37.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,179 MX$22.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Puerto Escondido
Acapulco
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$329 MX$6,130
$457 MX$8,516
-28.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.31
11.6
-2.50%

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

Last update for Puerto Escondido: October 26, 2026

Last update for Acapulco: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Puerto Escondido
$439
Acapulco
$147 66.5% $292
Groceries & Markets
Puerto Escondido
$283
Acapulco
$266 5.9% $17
Eating Out
Puerto Escondido
$180
Acapulco
$193 7.2% $13
Clothing & Footwear
Puerto Escondido
$125
Acapulco
$135 8.4% $10
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puerto Escondido
$110
Acapulco
$75 31.5% $35
Getting Around
Puerto Escondido
$46
Acapulco
$8.6 * 81.3% $37
Sport & Entertainment
Puerto Escondido
$37
Acapulco
$27 28.5% $11

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $598 in Puerto Escondido versus $526 in Acapulco. 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 39% higher in Acapulco, 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 $42 in Puerto Escondido versus $38 in Acapulco. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $283 vs $266 – making Acapulco the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Puerto Escondido
🇲🇽 Acapulco
🕒 Local time
15:21 3:21 PM
15:21 3:21 PM
Same time as Puerto Escondido
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
25,902
658,609
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 18.64 MXN (100 MXN = 5.36 USD). 1 EUR = 20.75 MXN (100 MXN = 4.82 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Puerto Escondido Acapulco 320 km
From you
  • Puerto Escondido
  • Acapulco

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
Puerto Escondido vs Acapulco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Puerto Escondido or Acapulco?
Puerto Escondido costs about 43% more than Acapulco, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Puerto Escondido and in Acapulco?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,828 per month in Puerto Escondido and $1,277 in Acapulco. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Puerto Escondido or Acapulco?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Acapulco, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $526 there versus $598 in Puerto Escondido.
How much does it cost to live in Puerto Escondido compared to Acapulco?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,219 in Puerto Escondido and $851 in Acapulco. That makes Acapulco about 30% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in Puerto Escondido and in Acapulco?
Kindergarten costs $216 per month in Puerto Escondido and $160 in Acapulco. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Puerto Escondido or in Acapulco?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,219 in Puerto Escondido and $851 in Acapulco. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Acapulco – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Puerto Escondido vs other spots: cost of living compared

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