Cost of Living in Mexicali - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $576 (excluding rent), and $1,043 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,560 (excluding rent), and $2,157 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.84 MX$209

$6.25 MX$110

$17.18 MX$303

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.24 MX$551

$23.42 MX$413

$78.1 MX$1,378

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.38 MX$113

$5.32 MX$93.8

$9.57 MX$169

Cappuccino

$2.70 MX$47.59

$1.35 MX$23.79

$5.40 MX$95.4

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

$1.11 MX$19.61

$0.78 MX$13.71

$1.56 MX$27.59

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.96 MX$17.00

$0.71 MX$12.48

$1.35 MX$23.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.31 MX$23.09

$4.19 MX$74.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 MX$71.2

$6.46 MX$114

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 MX$20.78

$1.05 MX$18.51

$2.61 MX$46.10

White Bread (500g)

$2.30 MX$40.51

$1.89 MX$33.31

$3.45 MX$60.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 MX$26.22

$1.19 MX$20.97

$2.44 MX$43.03

Eggs

$2.70 MX$47.58

$2.03 MX$35.82

$6.41 MX$113

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.44 MX$43.05

$13.55 MX$239

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.82 MX$103

$2.39 MX$42.26

$13.30 MX$235

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.37 MX$112

$13.16 MX$232

Apples (1kg)

$1.61 MX$28.37

$0.80 MX$14.09

$3.43 MX$60.5

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 MX$23.98

$1.09 MX$19.26

$3.81 MX$67.2

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 MX$23.55

$1.07 MX$18.91

$3.74 MX$66.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 MX$27.55

$0.93 MX$16.46

$2.08 MX$36.74

Potato (1kg)

$1.33 MX$23.48

$0.80 MX$14.06

$3.09 MX$54.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.35 MX$23.87

$1.09 MX$19.17

$2.44 MX$43.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 MX$19.63

$0.98 MX$17.26

$1.36 MX$23.99

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 MX$13.64

$0.72 MX$12.78

$1.29 MX$22.79

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.83 MX$67.5

$3.62 MX$63.9

$4.25 MX$75.0

Wine (Bottle)

$8.47 MX$149

$5.64 MX$99.6

$16.93 MX$299

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 MX$33.13

$0.89 MX$15.69

$2.61 MX$46.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 MX$56.2

$1.07 MX$18.85

$4.11 MX$72.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 MX$16.55

$0.81 MX$14.35

$1.06 MX$18.74

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.18 MX$603

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.86 MX$50.4

$2.45 MX$43.16

$3.26 MX$57.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 MX$27.46

$0.97 MX$17.14

$2.42 MX$42.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.09 MX$54.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 MX$21.99

$1.09 MX$19.22

$1.40 MX$24.76

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

$23.6K MX$417.4K

$17.7K MX$312.4K

$29.6K MX$522.3K

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

$20.9K MX$369.4K

$20.4K MX$359.9K

$23.6K MX$416.7K

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

$57.7 MX$1,018

$37.66 MX$665

$188 MX$3,323

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

$22.57 MX$398

$13.46 MX$238

$43.09 MX$760

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.11 MX$549

$23.69 MX$418

$49.93 MX$881

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.63 MX$664

$24.68 MX$436

$49.26 MX$869

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.62 MX$276

$7.81 MX$138

$15.62 MX$276

Cinema Ticket

$3.94 MX$69.6

$3.67 MX$64.9

$7.87 MX$139

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

$209 MX$3,696

$80.5 MX$1,421

$360 MX$6,349

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,755 MX$48.6K

$1,077 MX$19.0K

$4,433 MX$78.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.15 MX$462

$18.30 MX$323

$62.8 MX$1,108

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.23 MX$569

$21.48 MX$379

$64.4 MX$1,137

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.2 MX$1,328

$32.24 MX$569

$107 MX$1,897

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.0 MX$1,200

$41.57 MX$734

$77.9 MX$1,375

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$634 MX$11.2K

$317 MX$5,595

$951 MX$16.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$393 MX$6,931

$262 MX$4,621

$524 MX$9,242

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,181 MX$20.8K

$1,050 MX$18.5K

$1,312 MX$23.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$667 MX$11.8K

$534 MX$9,417

$800 MX$14.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,652 MX$46.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,468 MX$25.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$890 MX$15.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Mexicali Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

274

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

132

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Mexicali - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Mexicali, Mexico varies by choices, but many travelers and expats find it approachable compared with larger Mexican cities and U.S. border hubs. You’ll notice value in local food, public transport, and long-stay lodging when you opt for neighborhoods a short ride from the center. The mix of affordable taquerias, markets, and mid-range rentals helps you balance comfort with flexibility. Because Mexicali sits near the U.S. border, some goods may be priced with cross-border demand, but you can still keep a crisp daily budget by cooking at home and using public transit. Tip: Start with a week in the Centro to assess pace, then widen your search.

Daily life in Mexicali blends practical logistics with a relaxed pace. For housing, look beyond flashy areas and consider Centro or newer residential belts within a short drive of services; lease terms are often flexible for longer stays. Food options range from affordable street eats to open-air markets with fresh produce and bread; many nomads enjoy cooking most evenings to stretch a budget. Transport is straightforward: reliable bus routes, ride-hailing, and walkable downtown cores. For work, you’ll find coworking spaces and cafés with dependable wifi, though power outages are rare but possible in peak heat. Mexicali, Mexico living cost varies by season and neighborhood. Tip: map a few nearby grocery spots and daily commute times before choosing a base.

Quality of life in Mexicali hinges on balance – comfort, access to amenities, and pace. A practical budgeting framework helps: prioritize essential utilities, groceries, and local services; set a flexible dining and entertainment allowance. Seasonality matters: summers demand cooling strategies and hydration, while milder winters open more outdoor activities and lower energy use. Neighborhood fit matters too: Centro offers walkability and services; more residential belts provide quieter mornings and longer commutes to key spots. Build a base with a few long-running errands in mind, then explore weekend markets for seasonal produce and social scenes. Tip: test two different areas during a week to sense rhythm and safety.