Cost of Living in Tijuana - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $690 (excluding rent), and $1,269 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,612 (excluding rent), and $2,652 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.11 MX$222

$6.39 MX$117

$15.96 MX$292

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.2 MX$589

$24.14 MX$442

$80.5 MX$1,473

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 MX$143

$5.22 MX$95.6

$9.39 MX$172

Cappuccino

$3.86 MX$70.7

$1.32 MX$24.25

$5.31 MX$97.2

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

$1.14 MX$20.95

$0.8 MX$14.65

$1.61 MX$29.48

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.93 MX$16.94

$0.68 MX$12.43

$1.3 MX$23.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.98 MX$54.6

$2.17 MX$39.75

$4.33 MX$79.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.92 MX$90.1

$4.14 MX$75.8

$6.21 MX$114

Milk (1 liter)

$1.58 MX$28.88

$1.11 MX$20.27

$2.59 MX$47.35

White Bread (500g)

$2.54 MX$46.45

$1.87 MX$34.24

$3.42 MX$62.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 MX$31.89

$1.14 MX$20.78

$2.33 MX$42.64

Eggs

$3.09 MX$56.5

$1.95 MX$35.71

$6.16 MX$113

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.48 MX$137

$2.63 MX$48.15

$13.17 MX$241

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.73 MX$105

$2.36 MX$43.11

$13.08 MX$239

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.18 MX$186

$6.29 MX$115

$12.99 MX$238

Apples (1kg)

$2.66 MX$48.73

$0.8 MX$14.58

$3.42 MX$62.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 MX$27.5

$1.05 MX$19.18

$3.66 MX$66.9

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 MX$33.72

$1.05 MX$19.22

$3.66 MX$67.1

Tomato (1kg)

$1.6 MX$29.32

$0.94 MX$17.19

$2.1 MX$38.37

Potato (1kg)

$1.71 MX$31.29

$0.81 MX$14.89

$3.16 MX$57.9

Onion (1kg)

$1.86 MX$34.12

$1.08 MX$19.76

$2.42 MX$44.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 MX$19.47

$0.94 MX$17.13

$1.3 MX$23.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 MX$18.51

$0.75 MX$13.69

$1.33 MX$24.43

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.07 MX$74.5

$3.66 MX$66.9

$4.29 MX$78.5

Wine (Bottle)

$8.08 MX$148

$5.39 MX$98.6

$16.16 MX$296

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.89 MX$34.55

$0.89 MX$16.36

$2.62 MX$48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 MX$61.3

$1.12 MX$20.55

$4.32 MX$79

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 MX$17.7

$0.87 MX$15.84

$1.24 MX$22.73

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.65 MX$341

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.83 MX$51.7

$2.42 MX$44.28

$3.22 MX$59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.96 MX$54.2

$1.97 MX$36.08

$2.96 MX$54.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 MX$59.8

$10.89 MX$199

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 MX$22.91

$1.08 MX$19.71

$1.39 MX$25.39

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

$22.9K MX$419.8K

$17.2K MX$314.2K

$28.7K MX$525.3K

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

$20.6K MX$376.9K

$20.1K MX$367.3K

$23.2K MX$425.3K

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

$57.1 MX$1,045

$37.29 MX$683

$79.9 MX$1,462

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

$27.7 MX$507

$13.3 MX$243

$42.57 MX$779

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.28 MX$573

$23.82 MX$436

$50.2 MX$919

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.67 MX$690

$31.4 MX$575

$41.87 MX$766

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.46 MX$356

$7.78 MX$142

$31.13 MX$570

Cinema Ticket

$4.55 MX$83.4

$3.74 MX$68.5

$8.02 MX$147

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

$205 MX$3,761

$79 MX$1,446

$353 MX$6,461

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,744 MX$50.2K

$1,072 MX$19.6K

$4,415 MX$80.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.11 MX$771

$18.17 MX$333

$62.3 MX$1,140

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.53 MX$650

$21.45 MX$393

$64.4 MX$1,178

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.9 MX$1,627

$32.32 MX$592

$108 MX$1,972

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.4 MX$1,252

$41.83 MX$766

$78.4 MX$1,435

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$782 MX$14.3K

$467 MX$8,548

$1,082 MX$19.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$516 MX$9,447

$268 MX$4,900

$803 MX$14.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,560 MX$28.6K

$1,089 MX$19.9K

$2,530 MX$46.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$981 MX$18K

$530 MX$9,703

$1,590 MX$29.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,067 MX$56.1K

$2,605 MX$47.7K

$3,528 MX$64.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,737 MX$50.1K

$2,576 MX$47.2K

$2,790 MX$51.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,080 MX$19.8K

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: November 29, 2025

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.