Last update: Oct 2026 124.8M

Cost of Living in Mexico

Name: Mexico
Address: MX

Across Mexico, living costs for one person average $1,262 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $24 a day.

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🇲🇽 Mexico

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico

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

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,262 including rent across Mexico.

$1,262 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,993 including rent across Mexico.

$1,993 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,723 including rent across Mexico.

$2,723 /mo

Living costs in Mexico vary widely – from $736 in the most affordable city to $2,604 in the most expensive one, spanning a $1,868 range across 108 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.89 MX$203

$5.45 MX$102

$20.08 MX$374

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.66 MX$814

$27.29 MX$509

$82.5 MX$1,538

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.21 MX$172

$7.58 MX$141

$10.82 MX$202

Cappuccino

$3.54 MX$66.0

$1.89 MX$35.23

$5.40 MX$101

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

$1.46 MX$27.32

$1.11 MX$20.68

$2.76 MX$51.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.01 MX$18.88

$0.63 MX$11.80

$1.95 MX$36.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.69 MX$50.1

$1.35 MX$25.13

$4.84 MX$90.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.40 MX$82.1

$3.02 MX$56.4

$6.88 MX$128

Milk (1 liter)

$1.59 MX$29.64

$1.10 MX$20.49

$2.13 MX$39.70

White Bread (500g)

$2.71 MX$50.5

$1.61 MX$29.95

$4.34 MX$80.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.75 MX$32.56

$1.10 MX$20.52

$2.46 MX$45.92

Eggs

$2.44 MX$45.58

$1.46 MX$27.31

$3.92 MX$73.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.15 MX$171

$4.38 MX$81.7

$16.42 MX$306

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.41 MX$157

$4.43 MX$82.6

$12.86 MX$240

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 MX$215

$7.47 MX$139

$18.66 MX$348

Apples (1kg)

$2.79 MX$52.0

$1.59 MX$29.61

$4.23 MX$78.8

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 MX$30.27

$1.12 MX$20.89

$2.67 MX$49.82

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 MX$38.50

$0.94 MX$17.54

$3.88 MX$72.4

Tomato (1kg)

$1.96 MX$36.48

$0.88 MX$16.36

$3.29 MX$61.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.96 MX$36.55

$0.79 MX$14.73

$2.93 MX$54.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.97 MX$36.82

$1.08 MX$20.07

$3.22 MX$60.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.39 MX$25.84

$0.80 MX$14.85

$2.13 MX$39.77

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 MX$21.37

$0.73 MX$13.55

$1.67 MX$31.10

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.52 MX$84.3

$4.19 MX$78.1

$5.98 MX$112

Wine (Bottle)

$11.01 MX$205

$6.61 MX$123

$19.27 MX$359

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 MX$32.82

$1.10 MX$20.56

$2.74 MX$51.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 MX$61.1

$1.39 MX$25.89

$4.98 MX$92.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 MX$12.52

$0.34 MX$6.35

$1.01 MX$18.87

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.61 MX$515

$16.57 MX$309

$50.9 MX$949

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 MX$49.94

$1.61 MX$30.04

$5.37 MX$100

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.69 MX$50.1

$1.10 MX$20.53

$4.04 MX$75.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.83 MX$202

$5.42 MX$101

$16.25 MX$303

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 MX$27.28

$1.31 MX$24.45

$1.55 MX$28.97

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

$23.9K MX$446.2K

$20.6K MX$384.5K

$23.9K MX$446.2K

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

$24.2K MX$451.3K

$23.6K MX$439.3K

$25.2K MX$470.3K

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

$70.0 MX$1,305

$35.82 MX$668

$141 MX$2,621

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

$23.69 MX$442

$11.02 MX$206

$38.60 MX$720

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.33 MX$547

$22.12 MX$412

$44.23 MX$825

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.51 MX$681

$21.43 MX$400

$80.6 MX$1,503

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.98 MX$335

$10.94 MX$204

$27.34 MX$510

Cinema Ticket

$5.35 MX$99.7

$3.82 MX$71.2

$8.72 MX$163

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

$257 MX$4,785

$163 MX$3,031

$685 MX$12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,229 MX$116.2K

$2,842 MX$53.0K

$13.8K MX$256.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 MX$1,041

$27.14 MX$506

$81.4 MX$1,518

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.25 MX$769

$21.57 MX$402

$70.1 MX$1,307

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.9 MX$1,844

$55.2 MX$1,029

$138 MX$2,571

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.9 MX$1,714

$44.26 MX$825

$155 MX$2,889

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$706 MX$13.2K

$381 MX$7,107

$1,354 MX$25.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$455 MX$8,482

$269 MX$5,015

$807 MX$15.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,309 MX$24.4K

$669 MX$12.5K

$2,407 MX$44.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$859 MX$16.0K

$534 MX$9,950

$1,494 MX$27.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,538 MX$47.3K

$1,007 MX$18.8K

$4,623 MX$86.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,497 MX$27.9K

$827 MX$15.4K

$2,591 MX$48.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$768 MX$14.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.43

12.5

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

Last update: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Mexico $1,262

Accommodation & Living

$455 36%

Groceries & Markets

$272 21.6%

Eating Out

$189 15%

Clothing & Footwear

$130 10.3%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$123 9.7%

Sport & Entertainment

$47 3.7%

Getting Around

$46 3.7%

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $620 in Mexico. For reference, capital rent is $1,025 in Mexico City, and $245 in Zacatecas.

National average salary: $729. With average costs at $1,262, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $264 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $43 for two.

In Mexico City (capital), expect about $1,548 per month, while Zacatecas offers the lowest costs at $736 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,262) is 7% below the global median of $1,355.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

11:08 11:08 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

124,777,324

💱 Currency

Mexican Peso MXN $

📈 Exchange rate

100 MXN = 5.36 USD

100 MXN = 4.79 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in Mexico

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Acapulco	658609	42	$671	$861	$1,644	$2,014	51.97	115.64
2	Acuna	160225	55	$690	$1,133	$1,700	$2,523	83.85	160.23
3	Aguascalientes	863893	52	$674	$1,079	$1,668	$2,362	46.46	125.13
4	Ajijic	11439	61	$573	$1,271	$1,429	$2,727	50.11	113.75
5	Alamos, Sonora	10961	55	$689	$1,140	$1,701	$2,540	595.17	9.18
6	Atotonilco el Alto	26874	58	$761	$1,200	$1,951	$2,780	15.21	41.56
7	Azcapotzalco	432205	55	$690	$1,140	$1,700	$2,513	24.32	163.05
8	Boca del Rio	-	55	$689	$1,133	$1,703	$2,516	79.8	8.27
9	Bucerias	16161	59	$748	$1,218	$1,828	$2,685	108.51	121
10	Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur	202694	79	$794	$1,611	$1,943	$3,207	130.91	126.39
11	Campeche	249623	53	$653	$1,093	$1,622	$2,455	205.83	118.59
12	Cancun	888797	67	$765	$1,387	$1,894	$3,111	60.8	143.1
13	Celaya	378143	44	$653	$906	$1,640	$1,965	52.94	148.52
14	Champotón	35799	58	$712	$1,213	$1,785	$2,661	72.39	32.5
15	Chapala	21596	52	$566	$1,083	$1,325	$2,134	350.09	113.75
16	Chihuahua	925762	60	$694	$1,227	$1,656	$2,444	38.29	129.6
17	Chilpancingo De Los Bravo	225728	55	$685	$1,142	$1,710	$2,550	27.03	79.55
18	Cholula	908	53	$748	$1,092	$1,837	$2,384	39.18	10.64
19	Ciudad del Carmen	191238	55	$688	$1,134	$1,695	$2,526	38.46	149.58
20	Ciudad Juarez	1501551	55	$674	$1,139	$1,605	$2,534	46.44	214.51
21	Ciudad Lerdo	96243	40	$412	$831	$1,010	$1,823	69.69	142.18
22	Ciudad Obregon	329404	54	$681	$1,183	$1,701	$2,553	81.65	131.72
23	Ciudad Victoria	332100	58	$755	$1,199	$1,873	$2,681	399.95	122.66
24	Coatzacoalcos	212540	55	$692	$1,143	$1,706	$2,523	100.28	124.15
25	Colima	146965	46	$621	$952	$1,505	$2,156	204.04	119.88
26	Cozumel	77236	56	$714	$1,158	$1,750	$2,568	121.23	70.36
27	Cuajimalpa	217686	55	$689	$1,141	$1,693	$2,514	65.27	163.05
28	Cuauhtémoc	545884	55	$689	$1,133	$1,701	$2,517	54.94	163.05
29	Cuautitlan Izcalli	484573	51	$612	$1,054	$1,445	$2,289	65.36	149.03
30	Cuautla	157336	58	$758	$1,204	$1,934	$2,751	38.29	85.1
31	Cuernavaca	341029	48	$619	$1,007	$1,507	$2,354	48.44	128.43
32	Culiacan	808416	47	$715	$965	$1,723	$2,298	63.75	156
33	Durango	518709	50	$591	$1,036	$1,399	$2,217	120.22	131.63
34	Ecatepec	1645352	46	$755	$950	$1,849	$2,340	172.04	151.46
35	Ensenada	330652	52	$697	$1,067	$1,652	$2,328	89.44	118
36	Guadalajara	1385629	61	$751	$1,273	$1,816	$2,810	127.01	169.96
37	Guadalupe	635862	55	$704	$1,139	$1,760	$2,567	145.77	149.95
38	Guadelupe	-	55	$691	$1,135	$1,699	$2,528	59.72	36.81
39	Guanajuato	70068	51	$696	$1,043	$1,719	$2,152	36.07	98.33
40	Hermosillo	855563	57	$763	$1,174	$1,795	$2,590	2.01	146.3
41	Irapuato	452090	60	$803	$1,245	$1,959	$2,774	13.73	95.87
42	Isla Mujeres	13174	54	$651	$1,103	$1,590	$2,416	97.17	66.22
43	La Paz	250141	60	$702	$1,243	$1,765	$2,884	43.34	124.79
44	Lazaro Cardenas	83637	55	$689	$1,141	$1,698	$2,537	22.96	71.09
45	Leon	1579803	59	$836	$1,218	$2,028	$2,737	47.08	140.53
46	Los Cabos	202694	66	$912	$1,359	$2,191	$3,028	139.17	44.96
47	Los Mochis	298009	53	$656	$1,101	$1,573	$2,390	152.54	138.34
48	Manzanillo	159853	59	$676	$1,220	$1,613	$3,026	75.15	119.49
49	Matamoros	510739	55	$692	$1,137	$1,707	$2,519	16.57	247.54
50	Mazatlan	441975	68	$735	$1,407	$1,749	$2,638	38.42	137.48

Mexico Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Mexico - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Mexico is a useful frame for comparing regions and planning longer stays. Mexico can offer a favorable balance of value, with a wide range of choices that let you align pace, amenities, and location with your budget. You may find modern apartments in vibrant cities at reasonable rents compared with similar Western hubs, while street food and locally produced goods remain affordable if you shop like a local. Tourism spots push prices higher, but you can optimize value by choosing longer tenancy, off-season travel, and public transit over rideshares. Tip: Plan with flexibility and test a few neighborhoods before committing.

Day-to-day life often blends practical affordability with vibrant local culture. When housing, search for layouts that balance safety, travel time, and access to markets; neighborhoods outside the main tourist belts can offer better value with similar amenities. Food options range from inexpensive street plates to fresh markets and moderate restaurants. Public transit is generally reliable in larger cities, and ride-hailing apps are common; for remote work, coworking spaces in central districts provide reliable Wi-Fi and meetups. Understanding Mexico living cost helps you compare rent, groceries, and transit across cities. Tip: start with short stays in a couple of areas to gauge convenience and mood.

Choosing a base in Mexico often comes down to pace and priorities. For a budget-friendly fit, consider smaller cities or vibrant neighborhoods on the periphery of major hubs, or midtown districts with easy access to transit and markets. For a livelier digital nomad scene, look at urban cores with coworking options and frequent cultural events. A practical budgeting framework is to categorize needs (housing, food, transport) and test a few neighborhoods seasonally to compare costs and quality of life. Seasonal shifts in tourism can affect crowding and prices; use off-peak periods to lock in longer leases and smoother services. Tip: map your priorities and trial neighborhoods before committing.

As of 2026, living expenses in Mexico span $736 to $2,604 monthly. Which city you choose has a big effect on your budget.

Mexico covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $736 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $2,604 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Mexico drop fast. Zacatecas is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,500 a month goes far in Mexico, especially outside the big cities. It’s a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

Living costs in Mexico are average by world standards. Regional cities offer better value than Mexico City, and most residents with steady jobs or remote income find things manageable.