Cost of Living in Tijuana - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $703 (excluding rent), and $1,275 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,659 (excluding rent), and $2,689 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.87 MX$205

$6.26 MX$108

$15.65 MX$270

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.19 MX$539

$23.39 MX$404

$78.0 MX$1,346

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.89 MX$136

$5.26 MX$90.9

$9.47 MX$164

Cappuccino

$3.97 MX$68.5

$1.36 MX$23.48

$5.45 MX$94.1

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

$1.12 MX$19.27

$0.78 MX$13.47

$1.57 MX$27.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.95 MX$16.45

$0.70 MX$12.08

$1.34 MX$23.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 MX$50.9

$2.15 MX$37.06

$4.28 MX$73.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.95 MX$85.6

$4.17 MX$72.0

$6.25 MX$108

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 MX$28.48

$1.16 MX$19.99

$2.70 MX$46.70

White Bread (500g)

$2.48 MX$42.83

$1.83 MX$31.57

$3.34 MX$57.7

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.74 MX$30.12

$1.14 MX$19.63

$2.33 MX$40.27

Eggs

$3.24 MX$56.0

$2.05 MX$35.39

$6.47 MX$112

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.66 MX$132

$2.69 MX$46.49

$13.48 MX$233

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.73 MX$98.9

$2.35 MX$40.67

$13.08 MX$226

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.25 MX$177

$6.32 MX$109

$13.06 MX$226

Apples (1kg)

$2.56 MX$44.27

$0.77 MX$13.25

$3.29 MX$56.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 MX$26.54

$1.07 MX$18.51

$3.74 MX$64.6

Oranges (1kg)

$1.81 MX$31.27

$1.03 MX$17.82

$3.60 MX$62.2

Tomato (1kg)

$1.65 MX$28.48

$0.97 MX$16.70

$2.16 MX$37.26

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 MX$28.28

$0.78 MX$13.46

$3.03 MX$52.3

Onion (1kg)

$1.78 MX$30.67

$1.03 MX$17.77

$2.31 MX$39.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.10 MX$19.06

$0.97 MX$16.77

$1.35 MX$23.30

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 MX$17.72

$0.76 MX$13.11

$1.35 MX$23.39

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.04 MX$69.7

$3.63 MX$62.6

$4.25 MX$73.5

Wine (Bottle)

$8.55 MX$148

$5.70 MX$98.5

$17.10 MX$295

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 MX$32.44

$0.89 MX$15.37

$2.61 MX$45.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 MX$57.7

$1.12 MX$19.36

$4.31 MX$74.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 MX$15.79

$0.82 MX$14.13

$1.17 MX$20.28

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.78 MX$324

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.76 MX$47.64

$2.36 MX$40.79

$3.15 MX$54.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.00 MX$51.7

$1.99 MX$34.44

$3.00 MX$51.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.09 MX$53.4

$10.32 MX$178

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 MX$22.81

$1.14 MX$19.63

$1.46 MX$25.29

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

$23.3K MX$401.6K

$17.4K MX$300.6K

$29.1K MX$502.5K

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

$20.7K MX$358.3K

$20.2K MX$349.1K

$23.4K MX$404.3K

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

$56.6 MX$978

$36.99 MX$639

$79.3 MX$1,369

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

$27.12 MX$468

$13.02 MX$225

$41.68 MX$720

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.75 MX$531

$23.42 MX$405

$49.36 MX$853

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.47 MX$664

$32.06 MX$554

$42.75 MX$738

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.55 MX$338

$7.81 MX$135

$31.27 MX$540

Cinema Ticket

$4.54 MX$78.5

$3.74 MX$64.5

$8.01 MX$138

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

$205 MX$3,534

$78.7 MX$1,359

$352 MX$6,072

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,748 MX$47.5K

$1,074 MX$18.5K

$4,422 MX$76.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.50 MX$751

$18.77 MX$324

$64.4 MX$1,111

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.88 MX$602

$21.06 MX$364

$63.2 MX$1,091

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 MX$1,525

$32.12 MX$555

$107 MX$1,849

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.4 MX$1,216

$43.06 MX$744

$80.7 MX$1,394

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$798 MX$13.8K

$476 MX$8,224

$1,104 MX$19.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$506 MX$8,737

$262 MX$4,532

$787 MX$13.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,535 MX$26.5K

$1,071 MX$18.5K

$2,490 MX$43.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$969 MX$16.7K

$524 MX$9,043

$1,571 MX$27.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,259 MX$56.3K

$2,768 MX$47.8K

$3,749 MX$64.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,900 MX$50.1K

$2,730 MX$47.1K

$2,956 MX$51.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,015 MX$17.5K

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: April 12, 2026

Tijuana 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

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.