Cost of Living in Tijuana - Updated Prices & Insights

47.24

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $689 (excluding rent), and $1,235 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,624 (excluding rent), and $2,633 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.16 MX$230

$6.41 MX$121

$16.03 MX$303

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.98 MX$605

$23.98 MX$453

$80 MX$1,511

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.79 MX$147

$5.2 MX$98.2

$9.35 MX$177

Cappuccino

$3.86 MX$73

$1.32 MX$25.04

$5.31 MX$100

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

$1.15 MX$21.8

$0.81 MX$15.24

$1.62 MX$30.67

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.91 MX$17.23

$0.67 MX$12.65

$1.28 MX$24.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.83 MX$53.5

$2.06 MX$38.94

$4.11 MX$77.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.04 MX$95.3

$4.24 MX$80.2

$6.37 MX$120

Milk (1 liter)

$1.6 MX$30.23

$1.12 MX$21.22

$2.62 MX$49.57

White Bread (500g)

$2.49 MX$47.05

$1.83 MX$34.68

$3.35 MX$63.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.76 MX$33.35

$1.15 MX$21.74

$2.36 MX$44.6

Eggs

$3.25 MX$61.5

$2.06 MX$38.87

$6.5 MX$123

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.65 MX$145

$2.69 MX$50.9

$13.47 MX$255

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.89 MX$111

$2.42 MX$45.79

$13.45 MX$254

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.26 MX$194

$6.33 MX$120

$13.08 MX$247

Apples (1kg)

$2.72 MX$51.4

$0.81 MX$15.37

$3.49 MX$66

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 MX$28.19

$1.04 MX$19.66

$3.63 MX$68.6

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 MX$35.4

$1.07 MX$20.17

$3.73 MX$70.4

Tomato (1kg)

$1.65 MX$31.16

$0.97 MX$18.27

$2.16 MX$40.77

Potato (1kg)

$1.67 MX$31.65

$0.8 MX$15.06

$3.1 MX$58.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 MX$34.25

$1.05 MX$19.84

$2.36 MX$44.54

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 MX$20.03

$0.93 MX$17.62

$1.3 MX$24.48

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 MX$19.18

$0.75 MX$14.19

$1.34 MX$25.32

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.01 MX$75.8

$3.6 MX$68.1

$4.23 MX$79.9

Wine (Bottle)

$8.22 MX$155

$6.47 MX$122

$16.17 MX$306

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.93 MX$36.55

$0.92 MX$17.31

$2.69 MX$50.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 MX$61.5

$1.09 MX$20.61

$4.19 MX$79.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 MX$17.39

$0.82 MX$15.56

$1.18 MX$22.34

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.59 MX$351

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.7 MX$51

$2.31 MX$43.66

$3.08 MX$58.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.9 MX$54.8

$1.93 MX$36.46

$2.9 MX$54.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.09 MX$58.4

$10.31 MX$195

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 MX$25.11

$1.14 MX$21.61

$1.47 MX$27.83

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

$22.9K MX$432.6K

$17.1K MX$323.9K

$28.6K MX$541.4K

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

$20.3K MX$383.6K

$19.8K MX$373.8K

$22.9K MX$432.8K

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

$56.2 MX$1,062

$36.68 MX$693

$78.6 MX$1,486

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

$27.35 MX$517

$13.13 MX$248

$42.03 MX$795

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.64 MX$598

$24.09 MX$456

$50.8 MX$960

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38 MX$718

$31.67 MX$599

$42.23 MX$798

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.95 MX$377

$7.97 MX$151

$31.92 MX$603

Cinema Ticket

$4.58 MX$86.7

$3.77 MX$71.3

$8.08 MX$153

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

$207 MX$3,922

$79.8 MX$1,508

$356 MX$6,737

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,708 MX$51.2K

$1,058 MX$20K

$4,358 MX$82.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.52 MX$804

$18.34 MX$347

$62.9 MX$1,189

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.36 MX$669

$21.35 MX$404

$64.1 MX$1,211

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.9 MX$1,624

$31.25 MX$591

$104 MX$1,969

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.3 MX$1,292

$41.79 MX$790

$78.4 MX$1,481

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$800 MX$15.1K

$478 MX$9,029

$1,107 MX$20.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$518 MX$9,790

$269 MX$5,078

$806 MX$15.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,522 MX$28.8K

$1,062 MX$20.1K

$2,468 MX$46.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$978 MX$18.5K

$529 MX$9,994

$1,586 MX$30K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,636 MX$68.7K

$2,579 MX$48.8K

$4,836 MX$91.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,278 MX$43.1K

$2,019 MX$38.2K

$2,460 MX$46.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,009 MX$19.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.8

11.5

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

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Tijuana - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Tijuana, Mexico offers a practical balance of affordability and access to amenities. You can find a spectrum of housing, from affordable older apartments near Centro to well-connected options in Zona Rio, with easy access to shops and beaches. Local eats and casual markets keep daily meals inexpensive relative to many border cities, while services and utilities scale with neighborhood choice. The blend of affordability and proximity to the U.S. border makes it appealing for short visits and longer stays alike, especially if you seek a low-cost base with good travel links. Tip: Consider testing a few neighborhoods before committing long-term.

You can approach daily life in a practical way. Housing search blends online listings, local grupos, and short-term stays to test safe and convenient areas such as Centro, Playas de Tijuana, and Zona Rio. Food options range from street tacos to markets and casual eateries, letting you craft meals that fit your budget. Transport is flexible with walkable blocks, rideshares, buses, and some bike lanes to reduce costs and complexity. Errands are usually straightforward near major shopping centers, markets, and coworking hubs. Tijuana living cost varies by area and season, so plan a margin for fluctuations and be ready to re-evaluate neighborhoods. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to sample your preferred area.

Quality of life in Tijuana comes from balancing your needs with neighborhood energy. Start with a simple budgeting framework focused on housing, groceries, utilities, and transport, plus a small buffer for surprises. Favor neighborhoods that match your pace: Centro for cultural access, Playas de Tijuana for a laid-back coast feel, and Zona Rio for work and amenities. Seasonality affects crowds, festival periods, and rental demand, so consider flexible leases and longer trial stays. You can save by cooking at home, using public transit, and choosing local services over import options when possible. Tip: test several weekends before locking in a long-term lease.