Cost of Living in Cuernavaca - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,000 monthly including rent, or $528 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,665 with rent, or $1,091 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,329 including rent, or $1,653 for daily expenses alone.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.41 MX$163
$4.13 MX$71.5
$15.51 MX$268
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.50 MX$631
$26.07 MX$451
$104 MX$1,802
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.95 MX$120
$6.44 MX$111
$9.65 MX$167
Cappuccino
$2.25 MX$38.96
$1.57 MX$27.05
$4.95 MX$85.6
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 MX$22.41
$0.86 MX$14.88
$2.67 MX$46.22
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 MX$13.44
$0.55 MX$9.49
$2.74 MX$47.29
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.31 MX$39.94
$1.36 MX$23.43
$4.89 MX$84.5
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 MX$53.3
$2.57 MX$44.41
$5.86 MX$101
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 MX$26.73
$0.78 MX$13.45
$2.60 MX$44.95
White Bread (500g)
$1.72 MX$29.80
$0.77 MX$13.38
$3.42 MX$59.1
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.34 MX$23.19
$1.05 MX$18.07
$2.60 MX$45.01
Eggs
$1.86 MX$32.21
$0.96 MX$16.63
$3.21 MX$55.5
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.11 MX$140
$5.18 MX$89.5
$14.24 MX$246
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.21 MX$107
$5.17 MX$89.4
$18.82 MX$325
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.05 MX$226
$7.94 MX$137
$63.6 MX$1,099
Apples (1kg)
$2.14 MX$36.99
$1.86 MX$32.13
$5.32 MX$91.9
Banana (1kg)
$1.33 MX$23.02
$1.06 MX$18.24
$2.17 MX$37.55
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 MX$29.58
$1.04 MX$17.92
$5.17 MX$89.4
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 MX$27.02
$1.04 MX$18.01
$2.60 MX$44.86
Potato (1kg)
$1.73 MX$29.97
$1.05 MX$18.16
$3.14 MX$54.3
Onion (1kg)
$1.89 MX$32.60
$0.96 MX$16.65
$3.21 MX$55.6
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.96 MX$16.60
$0.54 MX$9.26
$2.14 MX$37.04
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 MX$13.35
$0.72 MX$12.45
$1.83 MX$31.58
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10 MX$71.0
$4.10 MX$71.0
$5.13 MX$88.7
Wine (Bottle)
$8.47 MX$146
$8.47 MX$146
$25.41 MX$439
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 MX$19.33
$1.05 MX$18.13
$3.14 MX$54.2
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89 MX$49.88
$1.83 MX$31.71
$4.83 MX$83.5
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 MX$9.45
$0.55 MX$9.45
$0.55 MX$9.45
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.25 MX$454
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.88 MX$32.58
$1.62 MX$28.00
$4.04 MX$69.9
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.24 MX$21.45
$1.00 MX$17.23
$3.08 MX$53.3
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.47 MX$164
$8.11 MX$140
$27.04 MX$467
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 MX$22.02
$1.17 MX$20.28
$1.34 MX$23.25
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7K MX$323.1K
$18.7K MX$323.1K
$24.0K MX$415.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K MX$357.7K
$16.0K MX$277.3K
$22.5K MX$389.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$60.5 MX$1,046
$31.93 MX$552
$126 MX$2,182
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.55 MX$390
$10.38 MX$179
$31.15 MX$538
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.25 MX$488
$21.23 MX$367
$45.10 MX$780
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.93 MX$396
$18.52 MX$320
$31.76 MX$549
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.70 MX$271
$7.85 MX$136
$15.70 MX$271
Cinema Ticket
$5.43 MX$93.8
$4.34 MX$75.0
$10.85 MX$188
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$212 MX$3,660
$212 MX$3,660
$424 MX$7,320
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,925 MX$85.1K
$2,637 MX$45.6K
$12.8K MX$222.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.01 MX$830
$32.14 MX$556
$69.6 MX$1,204
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.50 MX$683
$23.70 MX$410
$52.7 MX$911
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 MX$1,733
$58.8 MX$1,017
$160 MX$2,773
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.0 MX$1,418
$47.07 MX$814
$131 MX$2,263
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$380 MX$6,575
$214 MX$3,695
$660 MX$11.4K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$312 MX$5,392
$312 MX$5,392
$312 MX$5,392
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$899 MX$15.5K
$468 MX$8,087
$1,580 MX$27.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$773 MX$13.4K
$738 MX$12.7K
$790 MX$13.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$903 MX$15.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$632 MX$10.9K
$432 MX$7,466
$831 MX$14.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$679 MX$11.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.33
10
14

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

Last update: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $380 for a central one-bedroom, or $312 outside the center. At 56% of the average salary ($679), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $679, while typical expenses reach $1,000. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $224 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $36.00 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $26.25 per month.

Cost Highlights

Local beer is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Cappuccino is cheaper than 97% of cities in North America

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is cheaper than 97% of cities in North America

Cuernavaca Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Cuernavaca - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cuernavaca a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other destinations?
Cuernavaca offers a balanced mix of climate, culture, and practical costs that appeals to travelers and long stays. The city sits between Mexico City’s pace and a more relaxed provincial vibe, often translating to more reasonable housing and daily expenses than the capital or coastal resorts. In the Cost of Living in Cuernavaca, Mexico, you’ll find a broader range of older, affordable apartments alongside newer options. Dining out ranges from mercados to casual eateries, with steady prices for essentials. Utilities and internet are generally reliable in urban neighborhoods. Tip: Start with a short stay in a central neighborhood to gauge rhythm and value.
What does daily life look like for housing search, food options, transport, and errands in Cuernavaca?
Daily life centers on a market-driven pace, with leafy residential areas and a vibrant Centro where amenities cluster. For housing search, look for sunlit apartments in mid-range buildings near parks or old streets; longer stays may reward you with options in hillside neighborhoods that stay cooler. Food options range from bustling mercados with fresh produce to casual eateries and bakeries. Transport is flexible: walkable downtown, reliable buses, and ride-hailing apps. For errands, plan a few block-heavy days to avoid peak crowds. Cuernavaca, Mexico living cost fits a balanced budget without rushing you. Tip: Map a couple of neighborhood anchors and test a weeklong stay before committing.
What is the overall quality of life, budgeting framework, and seasonal considerations for Cuernavaca?
Cuernavaca tends to deliver a comfortable quality of life for those who value outdoor time, gardens, and a slower pace without sacrificing access to services. A practical budgeting framework works well: define a housing tier that suits your needs, then allocate blocks of your income to food, transport, and occasional leisure, leaving room for spontaneous day trips to nearby natural spots. Seasonality matters mainly for outdoor plans and crowds during holidays. Neighborhood fit ranges from historic Centro with walkable amenities to cooler hillside pockets with greener views. Tip: try a neighborhood stay during different days of the week to sense energy, safety, and connectivity.
How affordable is daily life in Cuernavaca?
Your money goes further in Cuernavaca than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $1,000 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
How much of a salary does housing take in Cuernavaca?
With 56% of the average paycheck going to rent, Cuernavaca is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
How much should you earn to live well in Cuernavaca?
Earning $1,501 monthly in Cuernavaca means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What is the price of renting a flat in Cuernavaca?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Cuernavaca range from $312 to $380, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
What does commuting cost in Cuernavaca?
A monthly transit pass in Cuernavaca goes for roughly $26.25, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Cuernavaca?
Childcare averages $212 monthly at a private kindergarten in Cuernavaca. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Cuernavaca?
$1,000 stretches far in Cuernavaca – all-in monthly costs average only $1,000. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What is quality of life like in Cuernavaca?
Living in Cuernavaca means access to fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife at about $1,000 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Cuernavaca?
Monthly expenses in Cuernavaca run around $1,000, so putting money aside takes more than $1,501 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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