Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $766 (excluding rent), and $1,541 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,855 (excluding rent), and $3,256 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.68 MX$195

$7.48 MX$137

$21.35 MX$390

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.28 MX$883

$32.19 MX$589

$96.6 MX$1,765

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.4 MX$172

$8.83 MX$161

$10.45 MX$191

Cappuccino

$3.64 MX$66.5

$1.36 MX$24.8

$4.89 MX$89.4

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

$1.82 MX$33.2

$1.24 MX$22.68

$2.89 MX$52.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.22 MX$22.35

$0.94 MX$17.12

$2.6 MX$47.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.59 MX$47.37

$1.82 MX$33.19

$3.11 MX$56.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.34 MX$79.4

$3.69 MX$67.4

$4.74 MX$86.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.57 MX$28.77

$1.04 MX$18.94

$1.99 MX$36.45

White Bread (500g)

$3.59 MX$65.7

$1.9 MX$34.74

$4.62 MX$84.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.41 MX$44.12

$1.07 MX$19.57

$4.12 MX$75.3

Eggs

$2.04 MX$37.29

$1.19 MX$21.71

$2.63 MX$48.05

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.46 MX$210

$8.31 MX$152

$12.44 MX$227

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.33 MX$189

$6.01 MX$110

$34.63 MX$633

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.73 MX$306

$9.96 MX$182

$35.04 MX$641

Apples (1kg)

$2.38 MX$43.55

$1.59 MX$29.03

$7.03 MX$129

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 MX$26.36

$1.34 MX$24.48

$2.45 MX$44.81

Oranges (1kg)

$1.65 MX$30.15

$0.91 MX$16.65

$5.9 MX$108

Tomato (1kg)

$2.23 MX$40.81

$0.76 MX$13.84

$3.38 MX$61.9

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 MX$40.77

$1.61 MX$29.47

$2.44 MX$44.66

Onion (1kg)

$3.05 MX$55.7

$2.15 MX$39.35

$3.55 MX$65

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.5 MX$27.37

$0.67 MX$12.33

$1.83 MX$33.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 MX$20.94

$0.64 MX$11.67

$2.41 MX$44.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.17 MX$76.2

$3.96 MX$72.4

$4.22 MX$77.1

Wine (Bottle)

$10.9 MX$199

$9.11 MX$166

$14.72 MX$269

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 MX$37.7

$1.52 MX$27.76

$3.49 MX$63.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 MX$59.4

$1.04 MX$18.98

$3.68 MX$67.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.56 MX$10.16

$0.79 MX$14.37

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$15.89 MX$291

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.95 MX$53.9

$2.68 MX$48.91

$4.56 MX$83.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.75 MX$50.3

$2.17 MX$39.64

$3.1 MX$56.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.28 MX$78.3

$10.71 MX$196

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 MX$23.15

$1.19 MX$21.72

$1.31 MX$23.87

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

$14.5K MX$265.8K

$23.4K MX$427.1K

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

$22.2K MX$405.1K

$20.9K MX$381.3K

$23.5K MX$428.9K

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

$95.4 MX$1,744

$52.8 MX$965

$158 MX$2,895

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

$23.06 MX$422

$18.28 MX$334

$31.34 MX$573

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.81 MX$582

$24.2 MX$443

$48.41 MX$885

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.46 MX$648

$26.07 MX$477

$52.1 MX$953

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.26 MX$242

$10.61 MX$194

$15.92 MX$291

Cinema Ticket

$7.91 MX$145

$4.75 MX$86.8

$10.55 MX$193

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

$357 MX$6,531

$288 MX$5,257

$470 MX$8,602

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,329 MX$115.7K

$5,696 MX$104.2K

$6,962 MX$127.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.8 MX$965

$31.67 MX$579

$63.3 MX$1,158

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.06 MX$623

$26.89 MX$492

$43.03 MX$787

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.7 MX$1,823

$79.8 MX$1,459

$133 MX$2,431

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.8 MX$1,660

$77.8 MX$1,423

$104 MX$1,897

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$994 MX$18.2K

$805 MX$14.7K

$1,341 MX$24.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$685 MX$12.5K

$456 MX$8,340

$1,065 MX$19.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,927 MX$35.2K

$1,558 MX$28.5K

$3,375 MX$61.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,287 MX$23.5K

$1,019 MX$18.6K

$1,877 MX$34.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,828 MX$70K

$1,654 MX$30.2K

$5,936 MX$108.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,944 MX$35.5K

$1,060 MX$19.4K

$2,386 MX$43.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,008 MX$18.4K

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 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico sits in a comfortable middle ground among Mexican coastal towns. For many travelers and remote workers, it offers solid value: modern services, a pleasant climate, and a lively scene without the price tag of top resort hubs. Rent and utilities vary by neighborhood, with options from budget-friendly studios to sea-view apartments. Food choices span street food to international markets, helping daily costs stay reasonable. Seasonal peaks around holidays and high season can shift prices in popular districts. Tip: compare several neighborhoods and consider short-term leases to test value before committing.

Daily life here blends beach-town charm with modern conveniences. When searching for housing, start with neighborhoods like the Zona Romántica, Conchas Chinas, and Vallarta’s hillside pockets, balancing walkability with views. Expect a mix of short-term rentals and longer leases; a little legwork yields options near beaches, cafes, and coworking spots. Food is approachable: markets for fresh produce, bakeries, and affordable street options, plus international groceries for specialty items. For transport, you’ll rely on buses, colectivos, and rideshares, with bikes and scooters offering flexibility. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico living cost varies by district, so plan a two-neighborhood test before committing. Tip: Use a two-week to month-long trial in a couple of neighborhoods to compare commute times, noise, and access to amenities.

Quality of life hinges on creating a flexible budget, selecting a neighborhood that matches your pace, and embracing the outdoors. A practical budgeting framework is to allocate housing, groceries, and local experiences (modeled after simple categories) and allow for seasons when crowds and prices shift. Shoulder seasons offer quieter streets and better deals, while hot, stormier months invite indoor coworking with air conditioning. Neighborhood fit matters: near the malecón if you want activity, or hillside views for quiet mornings. Embrace a mix of local markets, affordable eateries, and occasional splurges at cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi for work. Tip: set a recurring monthly review to adjust priorities and save for longer stays.