Last update: Oct 2026 Mexico 83.6K

Cost of Living in Lazaro Cardenas

For one person, living costs in Lazaro Cardenas are estimated at $1,141 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $23 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lazaro Cardenas

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

Living costs for one person come to about $1,141 monthly including rent, or $689 excluding housing.

$1,141 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,839 with rent, or $1,194 without housing.

$1,839 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,537 including rent, or $1,698 for daily expenses alone.

$2,537 /mo

Lazaro Cardenas sits 11–16% below the global median across household types. Within North America, costs are well below average (41% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.83 MX$203
$5.96 MX$112
$20.57 MX$385
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.66 MX$817
$32.74 MX$613
$81.9 MX$1,532
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.70 MX$163
$7.86 MX$147
$11.23 MX$210
Cappuccino
$3.61 MX$67.6
$2.22 MX$41.56
$5.00 MX$93.6
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 MX$26.59
$1.13 MX$21.19
$2.82 MX$52.8
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 MX$19.24
$0.65 MX$12.21
$1.90 MX$35.53
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.51 MX$46.92
$1.55 MX$29.06
$4.45 MX$83.2
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.99 MX$74.7
$3.26 MX$61.0
$5.43 MX$102
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 MX$31.06
$1.29 MX$24.16
$2.19 MX$41.03
White Bread (500g)
$2.53 MX$47.41
$1.59 MX$29.79
$3.73 MX$69.8
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 MX$31.19
$1.09 MX$20.42
$2.45 MX$45.86
Eggs
$2.43 MX$45.51
$1.61 MX$30.22
$3.75 MX$70.2
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.19 MX$153
$4.64 MX$86.9
$13.65 MX$256
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.49 MX$159
$4.46 MX$83.4
$12.93 MX$242
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.33 MX$212
$8.64 MX$162
$16.19 MX$303
Apples (1kg)
$2.67 MX$49.98
$1.87 MX$35.02
$3.74 MX$70.1
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 MX$29.74
$1.13 MX$21.11
$2.53 MX$47.39
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 MX$35.65
$1.09 MX$20.43
$3.26 MX$61.1
Tomato (1kg)
$1.83 MX$34.27
$1.13 MX$21.06
$2.80 MX$52.5
Potato (1kg)
$1.93 MX$36.05
$1.07 MX$20.03
$2.67 MX$49.88
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.61
$1.07 MX$19.99
$2.98 MX$55.8
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.75
$0.84 MX$15.80
$2.25 MX$42.20
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 MX$20.23
$0.80 MX$14.95
$1.60 MX$29.89
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.32 MX$80.8
$4.21 MX$78.7
$5.77 MX$108
Wine (Bottle)
$10.32 MX$193
$7.06 MX$132
$19.02 MX$356
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 MX$32.88
$1.09 MX$20.32
$2.70 MX$50.6
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20 MX$59.8
$1.53 MX$28.67
$5.00 MX$93.6
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.69 MX$12.92
$0.58 MX$10.77
$0.74 MX$13.90
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.53 MX$47.26
$2.13 MX$39.81
$4.25 MX$79.6
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.92 MX$35.92
$1.07 MX$20.06
$2.67 MX$49.96
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.01 MX$206
$5.51 MX$103
$16.52 MX$309
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 MX$27.62
$1.32 MX$24.79
$1.57 MX$29.33
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K MX$395.7K
$21.1K MX$395.7K
$21.1K MX$395.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K MX$445.7K
$23.0K MX$430.5K
$24.6K MX$460.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$58.7 MX$1,099
$33.28 MX$623
$108 MX$2,017
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.31 MX$417
$10.76 MX$201
$34.64 MX$648
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.94 MX$560
$22.18 MX$415
$44.37 MX$830
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.30 MX$642
$22.87 MX$428
$48.84 MX$914
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.49 MX$384
$5.85 MX$110
$20.49 MX$384
Cinema Ticket
$5.11 MX$95.7
$4.31 MX$80.6
$9.64 MX$181
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$221 MX$4,141
$166 MX$3,106
$365 MX$6,832
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,553 MX$85.2K
$2,927 MX$54.8K
$6,504 MX$121.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.3 MX$1,035
$33.17 MX$621
$82.9 MX$1,552
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.96 MX$748
$26.91 MX$504
$59.2 MX$1,108
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.7 MX$1,867
$65.3 MX$1,222
$136 MX$2,546
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.1 MX$1,687
$49.58 MX$928
$138 MX$2,577
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$602 MX$11.3K
$435 MX$8,136
$815 MX$15.3K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$393 MX$7,352
$277 MX$5,192
$555 MX$10.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,055 MX$19.8K
$833 MX$15.6K
$1,389 MX$26.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 MX$14.6K
$557 MX$10.4K
$1,115 MX$20.9K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,921 MX$36.0K
$770 MX$14.4K
$1,921 MX$36.0K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,169 MX$21.9K
$730 MX$13.7K
$1,371 MX$25.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$552 MX$10.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
10
12

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

Last update: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Lazaro Cardenas $1,141
Accommodation & Living
$393
Groceries & Markets
$263
Eating Out
$186
Clothing & Footwear
$128
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$111
Sport & Entertainment
$45
Getting Around
$15 *

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

Cost Breakdown

Average take-home pay sits at $552, while typical expenses reach $1,141. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $263 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $44 for two – well below the North American average of $79.

Cost Highlights

Average monthly net salary is lower than 97% of cities in North America

Internet is cheaper than 96% of cities in North America

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
00:40 12:40 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
83,637
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 26, 2026: 1 USD = 18.72 MXN (100 MXN = 5.34 USD). 1 EUR = 21 MXN (100 MXN = 4.76 EUR).

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Lazaro Cardenas Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Lazaro Cardenas - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Lazaro Cardenas for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find good value there?
Lazaro Cardenas, with its seaside vibe and practical services, tends to offer good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who aren’t chasing luxury. You’ll find a range of housing from simple apartamentos to modest rentals that won’t drain your budget, especially outside peak season. Local markets and casual eateries provide affordable meals, while larger tourist zones can push prices higher. The vibe is more local than resort, so you’ll benefit from choosing neighborhoods a short ride from the port and town center. Cost of Living in Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico feels approachable for steady budgets when you focus on long stays and community-friendly options. Tip: Start with month-to-month leases to test areas before committing.
What does daily life look like in Lazaro Cardenas, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Daily life centers on a balanced pace: you’ll often find practical apartments near markets or the waterfront, with rental terms that suit longer stays. Local mercados and taquerías offer affordable meals, and cooking at home can stretch a budget. For getting around, buses cover many routes, while taxis and rideshares handle short hops. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi are common enough to support remote work, usually with a friendly, local crowd. Plan errands around market days and recreational options to maximize value. Understanding the Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico living cost helps you budget groceries, transit, and incidental expenses. Tip: Choose a base near a market hub to reduce travel time and costs.
What quality-of-life considerations, budgeting approaches, and neighborhood fits help you stay long-term in Lazaro Cardenas?
Quality of life here blends outdoor access, modest costs, and a slower rhythm compared with big cities. Use a simple budgeting framework: fixed essentials (housing, utilities, internet) vs flexible spends (eating out, activities). In terms of seasonality, expect more visitors during certain months, which can affect crowds and service hours rather than prices. To choose a neighborhood, walkable districts near the beach or town center often offer convenience and social energy, while inland areas may feel quieter and cheaper. Build a short trial plan: stay 2–4 weeks in a couple of areas, note your errands, and compare access to groceries and work spots. Tip: prioritize safety, connectivity, and access to nature when you pick a base.
Is Lazaro Cardenas worth the cost of living?
At around $1,141 monthly all-in, Lazaro Cardenas offers decent value. It’s not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
What is the average cost of living in Lazaro Cardenas in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Lazaro Cardenas come to around $1,141 including rent, or roughly $689 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
Is the average salary in Lazaro Cardenas enough to cover living costs?
An average salary of $552 doesn’t cover the $1,141 monthly cost of living in Lazaro Cardenas for one person renting alone. Locals make it work with shared housing, a second income, or living with family – there’s little room for surprises at this income level.
What are typical rents in Lazaro Cardenas?
Where you live in Lazaro Cardenas makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $602; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $393. Overall, the market runs from $393 to $602 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a typical grocery budget in Lazaro Cardenas?
Expect to spend around $263 per month on groceries in Lazaro Cardenas. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
How expensive is a gym membership in Lazaro Cardenas?
A regular gym membership in Lazaro Cardenas costs around $34 monthly. It’s a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Lazaro Cardenas?
Living on $1,000 in Lazaro Cardenas means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,141. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Lazaro Cardenas?
Lazaro Cardenas offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value vibrant nightlife, coastal lifestyle, beach access, and at around $1,141 per month, it’s accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Lazaro Cardenas?
Monthly expenses in Lazaro Cardenas run around $1,141, so putting money aside takes more than $1,711 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Lazaro Cardenas good for backpackers?
Budget travel in Lazaro Cardenas works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,141 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.

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