The Cost of Living in Mexico

Planning to move to or retire in Mexico? Understanding the cost of living in Mexico can help you set a realistic budget. This guide covers monthly household budgets, everyday expenses, and costs across eight cities, with comparisons to the United States and practical ways to save.

All prices are in U.S. dollars. National estimates are based on Numbeo data collected on October 13, 2026. City figures have separate update dates where noted. Use these figures as a starting point: your actual spending will depend on where you live, your household size, and your lifestyle.

Cost of Living in Mexico at a Glance

The table below shows national estimates for rent and common expenses in Mexico. All figures are monthly except the restaurant meal, which is priced per person, per meal.

Cost	National Estimate (USD)
One-bedroom apartment in the city center	$712
One-bedroom apartment outside the city center	$466
Three-bedroom apartment in the city center	$1,340
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city center	$886
Basic utilities for an 85 square-meter apartment	$70
Broadband internet, 60 Mbps or higher	$29
Mobile plan with calls and at least 10GB of data	$23
Public transport pass	$27
Fitness club membership	$37
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	$11

Source: Numbeo’s Cost of Living in Mexico. Figures are rounded to the nearest U.S. dollar.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Mexico per Month?

These monthly budgets add average apartment rents to Numbeo’s national estimates of living expenses excluding rent.

Household and housing	Monthly costs excluding rent	Monthly total including rent
Single person, one-bedroom apartment	$686	$1,152–$1,398
Family of four, three-bedroom apartment	$2,547	$3,433–$3,887

Source: Numbeo’s Cost of Living in Mexico. All figures are in USD. The lower total uses average rent outside the city center; the higher total uses city-center rent. These are example budgets, not the lowest and highest amounts you might spend.

The non-rent figures are Numbeo’s household estimates, rather than a total of the individual prices listed in this guide. Budget separately for moving costs and any insurance, school fees, or car expenses not included in the estimate. Avoid adding costs already covered by the baseline.

For couples, start with the rent for an apartment you would share. Add shared household bills, then estimate food, transport, healthcare, and personal spending for each person. A budget for two will not necessarily be twice the single-person estimate.

Local Salaries and Affordability

Lower living costs do not always mean greater affordability if you earn a local salary. Numbeo reports average monthly take-home pay of around $780 in Mexico, although earnings vary widely by city, industry, and experience.

Reported monthly averages include $1,145 in Monterrey, $990 in Mexico City, $866 in Aguascalientes, and $620 in San Miguel de Allende. These figures offer context, but pay for a particular job may differ.

Compare your expected take-home income with your household budget. If you earn income through international remote work or receive a foreign pension, allow for exchange-rate changes and transfer fees when calculating your spending budget in pesos.

Cost of Living in Mexico vs the USA

According to Numbeo, the overall cost of living in the United States, including rent, is 80.5% higher than in Mexico.

In the same comparison, U.S. rents are 130.4% higher, restaurant prices are 69.5% higher, and grocery prices are 61.0% higher than in Mexico.

The table below compares common expenses in both countries.

Expense	Mexico (USD)	United States (USD)
One-bedroom rent, city center, monthly	$712	$1,647
Basic utilities, 85 square-meter apartment, monthly	$70	$218
Broadband internet, monthly	$29	$74
Public transport pass, per person, monthly	$27	$65
Inexpensive restaurant meal, per person	$11	$20
Gasoline, per liter	$1.46	$1.05
Milk, per liter	$1.63	$1.06

Source: Numbeo’s Mexico–United States comparison, updated October 13, 2026. Prices are national estimates; individual costs vary by location. Figures of $10 or more are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Not every item is cheaper in Mexico: gasoline costs about 39% more, and milk about 54% more than in the United States. Overall, grocery prices are lower in Mexico.

Monthly Living Expenses in Mexico

The categories below can help you compare prices and identify the expenses that matter most to your household.

Housing and Rent

Rents vary by city, with San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City generally costing more than Aguascalientes in this comparison. Renting outside the center can save money, though additional transport costs and longer commutes may offset those savings.

Check whether the rent includes furnishings, utilities, internet, or building fees. Lease length and seasonal demand can also affect the price.

Utilities, Internet, and Mobile Plans

Basic utilities for an 85-square-meter apartment, roughly 915 square feet, average about $70 per month. This includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection.

Broadband internet averages $29 per month, while a mobile plan with calls and at least 10GB of data averages $23.

Air conditioning can raise electricity costs, particularly in hot locations such as Mérida, Puerto Vallarta, and Monterrey. Ask for a property’s recent bills to estimate your likely costs.

Food and Groceries

Your grocery budget will depend on where you shop and how often you buy imported products or local alternatives.

Numbeo’s October 2026 national estimates include:

• Milk (1 liter): $1.63
• Fresh white bread (500 g loaf): $2.77
• Eggs (12 large): $2.50
• Chicken fillets (1 kg): $8.33
• Local cheese (1 kg): $9.17

Transportation

A local one-way public transport ticket in Mexico averages about $0.66, while a monthly transit pass costs around $27, according to Numbeo. Fares vary by city and service.

Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey have metro or urban rail services alongside buses, which can make living without a car practical. Whether this works for you will depend on the routes and operating hours near your home.

A budget without a car may still need an allowance for taxis or ride-hailing. For travel between cities, compare bus operators such as ADO and ETN where they serve your route.

Gasoline averages around $1.46 per liter. Car owners will also need to allow for insurance, maintenance, and parking. Bringing a foreign-plated vehicle may involve additional requirements and fees.

Healthcare and Health Insurance

Your healthcare budget will depend on your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs. Private insurance prices depend on your age, medical history, coverage, and deductible – the amount you pay toward covered care before the insurer pays benefits, subject to that deductible. Request a personalized quote to estimate your premium.

Eligible residents may also apply for voluntary Seguro de Salud para la Familia coverage through IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social). Annual fees depend on age and apply to each enrolled person. Eligibility rules, waiting periods, and exclusions also apply. Our guide to Mexico’s healthcare system explains public and private care options.

Compare total healthcare costs, including premiums or coverage fees, deductibles, consultations, medications, and dental care. Our guide to health insurance for foreigners in Mexico can help you compare plans.

Best Insurance for US Expats in Mexico

Best Insurance in Mexico for Foreigners

Childcare and Education Costs

Private full-day preschool or kindergarten in Mexico averages around $260 per child per month, while international primary school tuition averages approximately $6,194 per child per year, according to Numbeo.

School and childcare costs differ substantially by location. The figures in this guide put private preschool at about $214 per month in Aguascalientes and $693 in Monterrey. International primary school tuition ranges from an average of $2,904 per year in Aguascalientes to $11,863 in Mexico City.

Public schools do not charge tuition, although families should budget for uniforms, supplies, and transport. Those considering private or bilingual schools should compare the language of instruction and curriculum alongside the fees.

Ask the school for a full breakdown of fees before setting your budget. Enrollment, books, uniforms, meals, transport, and activities may add to tuition, and some payments may be due upfront. Our guide to moving to Mexico with kids covers school options and other family considerations.

Entertainment and Lifestyle Costs

Dining out, leisure activities, and fitness memberships can be adjusted to suit your budget. National estimates include:

• Inexpensive restaurant meal: $11
• Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant, excluding drinks: $44
• Cappuccino: $3.60
• Domestic draft beer, 0.5 liter: $2.74
• Mid-range bottle of wine: $11
• Cinema ticket, international release: $5.37
• Monthly gym membership: $37

Looking at menus and activity prices near your prospective home can help you estimate this spending. Parks, plazas, beaches, and local events may offer lower-cost options.

Cost of Living by City

The comparisons below cover eight of the 11 Mexican cities in the Numbeo dataset used for this guide. They are not a ranking of every city or town in Mexico.

Compare the costs that matter most to your household. For example, lower rent may be offset by higher childcare or utility bills. For lifestyle and location guidance, see our guide to the best places to live in Mexico.

The Most Expensive Cities in Mexico

San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and Monterrey rank highest on Numbeo’s index of living costs, including rent, among Mexican cities in the October 2026 dataset used here. Their costs differ by category.

All figures below are monthly estimates in USD, rounded to the nearest dollar.

Cost	San Miguel de Allende	Puerto Vallarta	Mexico City	Monterrey
One-bedroom apartment in the city center	$1,068	$1,304	$1,039	$967
Three-bedroom apartment in the city center	$2,366	$2,034	$2,359	$1,851
Basic utilities for an 85 m² apartment	$41	$86	$61	$118
Public transport pass, per person	$7	$21	$20	$32
Private full-day preschool or kindergarten, per child	$356	$329	$429	$693

Source: Numbeo city figures cited in the October 2026 comparison.

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende has the highest living costs, including rent, among the 11 cities compared. It also ranks highest for rental costs and grocery prices. Basic utilities are below the national estimate, while restaurant prices are lower than in Puerto Vallarta and Monterrey.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta ranks second for living costs, including rent, and has the highest restaurant prices in the comparison. Among the four higher-cost cities shown above, it also has the highest one-bedroom city-center rent but the lowest private preschool fees.

Mexico City

Mexico City’s citywide averages may not reflect rents in your preferred neighborhood, particularly in areas such as Roma, Condesa, or Polanco. For families, a three-bedroom apartment outside the city center averages $1,244 per month, compared with $2,359 in the city center. Utilities and public transport are comparatively affordable. Private preschool fees are higher than in San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta.

Monterrey

Monterrey has lower central rents than the other three cities in this group, but the highest utility and private preschool costs. These expenses can offset housing savings, particularly for families. Monterrey also has the second-highest local purchasing power in the dataset, behind Aguascalientes. This measures how much average local take-home pay can buy. Your own affordability will depend on your income and expenses.

The Most Affordable Cities in Mexico

Aguascalientes, Puebla, Mérida, and Guadalajara rank lowest on Numbeo’s index of living costs, including rent, among the Mexican cities in the October 2026 dataset used here.

All figures below are monthly estimates in USD, rounded to the nearest dollar.

Cost	Aguascalientes	Puebla	Mérida	Guadalajara
One-bedroom apartment in the city center	$507	$638	$628	$861
Three-bedroom apartment in the city center	$790	$887	$1,254	$1,552
Basic utilities for an 85 m² apartment	$55	$61	$114	$50
Public transport pass, per person	$24	$25	$20	$31
Private full-day preschool or kindergarten, per child	$214	$420	$262	$254

Source: Numbeo city data updated October 2, 2026 (Aguascalientes, Puebla, and Guadalajara), and October 7, 2026 (Mérida).

Aguascalientes

Aguascalientes has the lowest cost of living, including rent, in the city comparison. It also ranks lowest for rental costs and grocery prices. It has the highest local purchasing power and the lowest private preschool fees among the four lower-cost cities. Restaurant prices, however, are slightly higher than in Puebla.

Puebla

Puebla ranks second-lowest for living costs, including rent, and has the lowest restaurant prices in the comparison. Grocery prices are also below those in Mérida and Guadalajara. For families, the main tradeoff is childcare: private preschool costs are the highest among these four lower-cost cities and may offset some housing savings.

Mérida

Mérida has lower living costs, including rent, than Guadalajara, but higher everyday expenses excluding rent. Utilities are a particular consideration: at $114 per month, the estimate is the highest among these four cities.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara has the highest central rents among these four cities, but lower everyday living costs excluding rent than Mérida. Its comparatively low utility and private preschool costs may help balance the higher housing expense.

How to Reduce Your Cost of Living in Mexico

Here are five ways to manage your living costs in Mexico:

1. Compare mercados with supermarkets: Price your usual groceries at local markets (mercados), neighborhood shops (tiendas), and supermarkets. Compare seasonal Mexican produce and local brands with imported alternatives, and check prices per kilogram or liter rather than assuming markets are always cheaper.
2. Budget for healthcare beyond the premium: If you qualify for IMSS’s voluntary Seguro de Salud para la Familia, check its annual fees, waiting periods, and exclusions before including it in your budget. Compare private insurance premiums alongside deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Compare neighborhoods and electricity bills: Look beyond areas such as Roma, Condesa, and Polanco in Mexico City, or beachfront locations in Puerto Vallarta. Compare rent savings with commuting costs. In hot cities such as Mérida and Puerto Vallarta, ask for previous electricity bills to assess the cost of running air conditioning.
4. Check your daily routes before buying a car: In Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, investigate whether rail and bus services connect your home with work, schools, and shops. Include occasional taxis or ride-hailing in your comparison with car ownership.
5. Compare the pesos you receive after fees: If your salary or pension arrives in another currency, compare transfer services by the amount you receive in pesos after all fees and exchange-rate charges. Check foreign-card and ATM charges for everyday spending, too.

Tracking your spending during your first few months can help you adjust your budget based on your actual costs. For help with upfront expenses, see our guide to budgeting for a move abroad.