Cost of Living in Mexicali - Updated Prices & Insights

41.1

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $593 (excluding rent), and $1,052 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,403 (excluding rent), and $2,098 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.9 MX$225

$6.27 MX$119

$17.25 MX$326

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.36 MX$593

$23.51 MX$445

$78.4 MX$1,482

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.53 MX$123

$5.44 MX$103

$9.79 MX$185

Cappuccino

$2.68 MX$50.7

$1.34 MX$25.36

$5.38 MX$102

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

$1.15 MX$21.81

$0.81 MX$15.25

$1.62 MX$30.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.89 MX$16.92

$0.66 MX$12.42

$1.26 MX$23.76

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.29 MX$24.44

$4.14 MX$78.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 MX$74.5

$6.31 MX$119

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 MX$23.07

$1.09 MX$20.55

$2.71 MX$51.2

White Bread (500g)

$2.2 MX$41.54

$1.81 MX$34.16

$3.3 MX$62.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 MX$28.14

$1.19 MX$22.52

$2.44 MX$46.2

Eggs

$2.72 MX$51.4

$2.05 MX$38.68

$6.46 MX$122

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.44 MX$46.19

$13.57 MX$257

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.74 MX$109

$2.36 MX$44.64

$13.12 MX$248

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.32 MX$120

$13.06 MX$247

Apples (1kg)

$1.6 MX$30.27

$0.8 MX$15.04

$3.41 MX$64.5

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 MX$24.36

$1.03 MX$19.56

$3.61 MX$68.3

Oranges (1kg)

$1.3 MX$24.62

$1.05 MX$19.77

$3.65 MX$69

Tomato (1kg)

$1.64 MX$30.96

$0.98 MX$18.5

$2.18 MX$41.28

Potato (1kg)

$1.31 MX$24.77

$0.78 MX$14.82

$3.05 MX$57.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.31 MX$24.76

$1.05 MX$19.88

$2.36 MX$44.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 MX$19.83

$0.92 MX$17.44

$1.28 MX$24.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.8 MX$15.22

$0.75 MX$14.25

$1.34 MX$25.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.86 MX$73

$3.65 MX$69

$4.28 MX$81

Wine (Bottle)

$7.86 MX$149

$6.19 MX$117

$15.46 MX$292

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 MX$35.52

$0.89 MX$16.83

$2.61 MX$49.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.21 MX$60.6

$1.08 MX$20.33

$4.14 MX$78.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 MX$17.69

$0.81 MX$15.34

$1.06 MX$20.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.58 MX$635

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 MX$51.2

$2.32 MX$43.86

$3.09 MX$58.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.62 MX$30.67

$1.01 MX$19.14

$2.52 MX$47.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.25 MX$61.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 MX$24.33

$1.12 MX$21.27

$1.45 MX$27.4

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

$23.3K MX$441.3K

$17.5K MX$330.4K

$29.2K MX$552.3K

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

$21K MX$396.3K

$20.4K MX$386.2K

$23.7K MX$447.1K

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

$57.2 MX$1,081

$37.35 MX$706

$187 MX$3,530

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

$21.74 MX$411

$12.96 MX$245

$41.5 MX$785

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.36 MX$593

$23.88 MX$451

$50.3 MX$952

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.66 MX$731

$25.35 MX$479

$50.6 MX$957

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.83 MX$299

$7.91 MX$150

$15.83 MX$299

Cinema Ticket

$4.06 MX$76.7

$3.78 MX$71.5

$8.11 MX$153

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

$202 MX$3,823

$77.8 MX$1,470

$347 MX$6,568

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,743 MX$51.9K

$1,072 MX$20.3K

$4,415 MX$83.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.48 MX$501

$18.53 MX$350

$63.5 MX$1,201

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.13 MX$589

$20.75 MX$392

$62.3 MX$1,177

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.6 MX$1,411

$31.98 MX$605

$107 MX$2,015

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.3 MX$1,310

$42.37 MX$801

$79.4 MX$1,502

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$627 MX$11.9K

$314 MX$5,931

$941 MX$17.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$390 MX$7,381

$260 MX$4,921

$521 MX$9,841

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,177 MX$22.3K

$1,047 MX$19.8K

$1,308 MX$24.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$650 MX$12.3K

$520 MX$9,832

$780 MX$14.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,540 MX$48K

$525 MX$9,922

$2,540 MX$48K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,437 MX$27.2K

$311 MX$5,881

$1,437 MX$27.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$832 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.

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.