Cost of Living in Tijuana - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $701 (excluding rent), and $1,261 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,658 (excluding rent), and $2,654 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.08 MX$213

$6.37 MX$112

$15.92 MX$281

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.03 MX$565

$24.02 MX$424

$80.1 MX$1,413

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.05 MX$142

$5.37 MX$94.8

$9.66 MX$171

Cappuccino

$3.78 MX$66.7

$1.30 MX$22.87

$5.19 MX$91.7

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

$1.12 MX$19.71

$0.78 MX$13.78

$1.57 MX$27.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 MX$17.14

$0.71 MX$12.58

$1.36 MX$24.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.89 MX$51.0

$2.11 MX$37.16

$4.20 MX$74.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.09 MX$89.9

$4.28 MX$75.6

$6.43 MX$113

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 MX$28.61

$1.14 MX$20.08

$2.66 MX$46.91

White Bread (500g)

$2.47 MX$43.67

$1.82 MX$32.18

$3.33 MX$58.8

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.76 MX$31.01

$1.14 MX$20.21

$2.35 MX$41.46

Eggs

$3.19 MX$56.4

$2.02 MX$35.62

$6.37 MX$113

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.69 MX$136

$2.70 MX$47.70

$13.53 MX$239

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.70 MX$101

$2.34 MX$41.36

$13.02 MX$230

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.15 MX$179

$6.26 MX$111

$12.94 MX$228

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 MX$47.23

$0.80 MX$14.13

$3.44 MX$60.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 MX$26.38

$1.04 MX$18.40

$3.64 MX$64.2

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 MX$32.42

$1.05 MX$18.48

$3.65 MX$64.5

Tomato (1kg)

$1.66 MX$29.25

$0.97 MX$17.15

$2.17 MX$38.28

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 MX$28.99

$0.78 MX$13.80

$3.04 MX$53.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.80 MX$31.83

$1.04 MX$18.44

$2.35 MX$41.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 MX$19.32

$0.96 MX$17.00

$1.34 MX$23.62

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 MX$18.01

$0.76 MX$13.33

$1.35 MX$23.78

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.03 MX$71.2

$3.62 MX$63.9

$4.25 MX$75.0

Wine (Bottle)

$8.12 MX$143

$5.41 MX$95.6

$16.24 MX$287

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 MX$33.13

$0.89 MX$15.69

$2.61 MX$46.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 MX$59.2

$1.12 MX$19.85

$4.32 MX$76.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 MX$16.99

$0.86 MX$15.20

$1.24 MX$21.82

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.67 MX$330

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.72 MX$47.96

$2.33 MX$41.06

$3.10 MX$54.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.98 MX$52.5

$1.98 MX$34.95

$2.98 MX$52.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.24 MX$57.2

$10.81 MX$191

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 MX$22.11

$1.08 MX$19.02

$1.39 MX$24.51

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

$22.9K MX$403.8K

$17.1K MX$302.2K

$28.6K MX$505.3K

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

$20.6K MX$363.3K

$20.1K MX$354.0K

$23.2K MX$409.9K

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

$57.6 MX$1,016

$37.60 MX$664

$80.6 MX$1,422

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

$27.88 MX$492

$13.38 MX$236

$42.85 MX$756

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.20 MX$551

$23.76 MX$419

$50.1 MX$884

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.63 MX$682

$32.20 MX$568

$42.93 MX$758

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.99 MX$353

$7.99 MX$141

$31.98 MX$565

Cinema Ticket

$4.39 MX$77.5

$3.61 MX$63.7

$7.74 MX$137

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

$204 MX$3,597

$78.4 MX$1,383

$350 MX$6,179

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,727 MX$48.1K

$1,066 MX$18.8K

$4,389 MX$77.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.07 MX$760

$18.58 MX$328

$63.7 MX$1,125

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.69 MX$612

$20.95 MX$370

$62.8 MX$1,109

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 MX$1,514

$31.19 MX$551

$104 MX$1,835

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.2 MX$1,221

$42.30 MX$747

$79.3 MX$1,400

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$808 MX$14.3K

$482 MX$8,515

$1,118 MX$19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$519 MX$9,155

$269 MX$4,749

$807 MX$14.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,577 MX$27.8K

$1,100 MX$19.4K

$2,557 MX$45.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$988 MX$17.4K

$534 MX$9,421

$1,601 MX$28.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,163 MX$55.8K

$2,687 MX$47.4K

$3,639 MX$64.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,808 MX$49.6K

$2,644 MX$46.7K

$2,863 MX$50.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$963 MX$17.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.8

11.5

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Tijuana Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

175

Mbps

121

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.