Cost of Living in Mexico

Updated: March 01, 2025

If you've ever considered moving to Mexico, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Mexico?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Mexico and whether the reported $1311 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $627.01.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

Mexico

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	7.32 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	29.3 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	5.86 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	1.9 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	3.17 $
Cappuccino (regular)	2.38 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	0.9 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	0.66 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	1.11 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	1.76 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	1.32 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	1.65 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	6.23 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	5.55 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	8.83 $
Apples (1 lb)	2.37 $
Banana (1 lb)	1.1 $
Oranges (1 lb)	1.12 $
Tomato (1 lb)	1.23 $
Potato (1 lb)	1.3 $
Onion (1 lb)	1.21 $
Lettuce (1 head)	0.84 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	0.78 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	9.77 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	1.17 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	2.11 $
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	3.22 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	0.49 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	17.09 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	1.95 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	0.98 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	7.32 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	1.09 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	17090.93 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	17736.25 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	50.84 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.07 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	25.47 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	29.16 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	12.98 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	3.91 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	180.79 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	3790.89 $

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	41.66 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	32.2 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	72.64 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	65.75 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	445.99 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	270.78 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	785.24 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	560.4 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	1240.09 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	890.22 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	627.01 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	11.01 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 7.32 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 29.3 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.11 USD, a loaf of bread 1.76 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 1.65 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.49 USD and a monthly pass around 17.09 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 50.84 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 29.16 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 12.98 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 180.79 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 3790.89 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 41.66 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 72.64 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 445.99 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 270.78 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 1240.09 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 890.22 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 627.01 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 11.01% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in Mexico

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

The U.S. Government advises people to "reconsider travel" to Mexico, which is the third-highest of four levels of danger.Covid-19, as well as a rise in crime and kidnappings, are the major reasons.Like many countries, some areas are safer than others.Major tourist areas are generally safe.The overall crime rate per thousand people is actually higher in the United States than in Mexico.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You need to use some common sense.Don't accept rides from independent drivers.Ride only in approved or licensed taxis, which are labeled.Get your hotel to call a taxi for you, instead of hailing one on the street.Public transportation is safe but can be crowded and uncomfortable.Generally, it is much safer than renting a car and driving yourself.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

This is especially true in tourist areas, where people look for easy targets.Try not to look like a tourist.Don't flash your money or expensive electronics around in public. Keep your valuables locked up and carry as little cash as possible.Keep your papers and wallet safe.Tourist areas and large cities are the worst.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There have been earthquakes in mountainous areas, as well as hurricanes along the coast, but it is rare to have a major disaster in Mexico.Keep an eye on weather forecasts as you would at home.The infrastructure in Mexico is not that great, so if there is one, it may be worse than if you were at home. Even so, they are rare here.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Robberies and muggings are on the rise in certain areas.Even so, tourist areas are generally safe during the daytime, as is most of the country.If you stay at a resort in a tourist area, your risk is very low.If you are out at night by yourself in a city, your risk increases dramatically, just as it would in the United States.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

According to U.S. Govt reports, there is no evidence of foreign terror groups having a base in Mexico or working with drug cartels.There have been very few incidents of terrorism in recent years and those were isolated cases.While terrorism could happen anywhere, there seems to be little risk of it happening in Mexico.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Especially in tourist areas, scammers are on the prowl looking for a victim.Fake taxis, fake tour operators, souvenirs, and timeshares seem to be the most common scams.One very common scam is for restaurants to have a different menu and prices for tourists than what locals get.You won't get much help from the police if you are scammed, so you need to be careful.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

We say low because it really is not any different than in the United States.If you stay in tourist areas, use some common sense - don't go out at night alone - there is little danger.There have been some kidnappings, so that could be a danger.It is not good for a woman to be away from tourist areas alone for that reason.

TAP WATER RISK: HIGH

"Montezuma's Revenge," causes most tourists who drink water to get sick for a day or two.Some are just different minerals that you could get used to. Water is contaminated in many areas, however. Ice at a restaurant may come from tap water.You will get sick from tap water, but it is not fatal or serious in most cases.

Cost of Living in Mexico

Mexico

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing