Cost of Living in Mexicali - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $586 (excluding rent), and $1,063 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,605 (excluding rent), and $2,119 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.82 MX$216

$6.23 MX$114

$17.14 MX$314

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.88 MX$584

$23.9 MX$438

$79.7 MX$1,459

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.27 MX$115

$5.22 MX$95.6

$9.4 MX$172

Cappuccino

$2.62 MX$47.89

$1.31 MX$23.95

$5.24 MX$96

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

$1.11 MX$20.39

$0.78 MX$14.25

$1.57 MX$28.69

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 MX$17.86

$0.72 MX$13.11

$1.37 MX$25.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.33 MX$24.39

$4.27 MX$78.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4 MX$73.3

$6.41 MX$117

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 MX$22.11

$1.08 MX$19.69

$2.68 MX$49.04

White Bread (500g)

$2.2 MX$40.31

$1.81 MX$33.14

$3.31 MX$60.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.46 MX$26.81

$1.17 MX$21.45

$2.4 MX$44.01

Eggs

$2.64 MX$48.33

$1.99 MX$36.38

$6.28 MX$115

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.41 MX$44.14

$13.39 MX$245

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.75 MX$105

$2.36 MX$43.28

$13.13 MX$240

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.46 MX$118

$13.34 MX$244

Apples (1kg)

$1.56 MX$28.6

$0.78 MX$14.21

$3.33 MX$61

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 MX$23.57

$1.03 MX$18.93

$3.61 MX$66.1

Oranges (1kg)

$1.34 MX$24.44

$1.07 MX$19.63

$3.74 MX$68.5

Tomato (1kg)

$1.63 MX$29.85

$0.97 MX$17.83

$2.17 MX$39.8

Potato (1kg)

$1.3 MX$23.75

$0.78 MX$14.21

$3.02 MX$55.2

Onion (1kg)

$1.35 MX$24.62

$1.08 MX$19.77

$2.43 MX$44.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 MX$19.49

$0.94 MX$17.14

$1.3 MX$23.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 MX$13.97

$0.71 MX$13.08

$1.27 MX$23.34

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.99 MX$73

$3.77 MX$69

$4.42 MX$81

Wine (Bottle)

$8.06 MX$148

$5.38 MX$98.4

$16.13 MX$295

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 MX$34.4

$0.89 MX$16.29

$2.61 MX$47.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 MX$60.8

$1.11 MX$20.4

$4.29 MX$78.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.99 MX$18.17

$0.86 MX$15.76

$1.12 MX$20.58

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.59 MX$615

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.84 MX$52

$2.43 MX$44.53

$3.24 MX$59.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 MX$29.02

$0.99 MX$18.11

$2.46 MX$45.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.14 MX$57.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 MX$23.7

$1.13 MX$20.72

$1.46 MX$26.69

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

$22.8K MX$417.9K

$17.1K MX$312.8K

$28.6K MX$523K

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

$20.5K MX$374.8K

$19.9K MX$365.1K

$23.1K MX$422.8K

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

$56.8 MX$1,039

$37.09 MX$679

$185 MX$3,394

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

$21.82 MX$399

$13.01 MX$238

$41.65 MX$762

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.86 MX$583

$24.27 MX$444

$51.2 MX$936

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.85 MX$693

$24.82 MX$454

$49.54 MX$907

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.96 MX$292

$7.98 MX$146

$15.96 MX$292

Cinema Ticket

$4.04 MX$73.9

$3.76 MX$68.8

$8.06 MX$148

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

$203 MX$3,708

$77.9 MX$1,426

$348 MX$6,370

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,800 MX$51.3K

$1,094 MX$20K

$4,506 MX$82.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.97 MX$475

$18.17 MX$333

$62.3 MX$1,141

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.37 MX$593

$21.58 MX$395

$64.7 MX$1,185

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.4 MX$1,362

$31.89 MX$584

$106 MX$1,945

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.5 MX$1,253

$41.86 MX$766

$78.5 MX$1,437

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$624 MX$11.4K

$312 MX$5,711

$936 MX$17.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$396 MX$7,245

$264 MX$4,830

$528 MX$9,660

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,175 MX$21.5K

$1,045 MX$19.1K

$1,306 MX$23.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$667 MX$12.2K

$533 MX$9,761

$800 MX$14.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,663 MX$48.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,459 MX$26.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$848 MX$15.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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.