Cost of Living in Mexico

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Mexico's Cost of Living for Retirees, Expats and Digital Nomads

Cost of Living in Mexico

Puerto Vallarta beach walk Mexico

Living cost in Mexico is much lower compared with other developed countries, making it a desirable location for expats. Many people are attracted to the cost-effective lifestyle, warm climate, and cultural heritage the country has to offer. However, living cost in Mexico differs depending on where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Housing costs vary greatly depending on the size of the city you live in and the type of accommodation you choose. If you decide to rent an apartment or house, prices can range from $200-$700 USD per month for a basic studio apartment located in one of Mexico’s smaller cities. In larger cities like Mexico City or Guadalajara, rental prices tend to be more expensive but generally still below $1,000 USD per month for a mid-range one-bedroom apartment.

Utility bills such as water, electricity, gas, internet and TV packages will cost around $100-$150 USD per month and are generally quite affordable if compared with other countries. Food costs depend largely on how often you choose to eat out at restaurants or buy ready-made meals from supermarkets; either way they remain relatively inexpensive and cost approximately $200-$250 USD per month for an average person.

Transportation costs depend mainly on whether you choose public transport over private transport such as taxis or car rentals. Using public buses or metro systems will cost less than $50 USD whereas renting a car can cost up to $300 USD monthly so it is important to weigh up your options before making a decision.

Overall living cost in Mexico are significantly lower than most other parts of the world but it is worth considering that these estimates may change depending on different factors including where you live and what sort of lifestyle you want to lead while abroad. Additionally, don’t forget that moving abroad involves unexpected expenses which may include visa fees and other paperwork related costs so it’s important to factor these into your budget when planning your move!

Traveling to 🇲🇽 Mexico soon?

I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:

🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!

✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.

🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.

🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.

🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.

🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.

📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.

☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.