Cost of living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 60% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 60% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 121 ($5.81) | $19 | - 70% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Mex$ 116 ($5.55) | $11 | - 48% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 52 ($2.51) | $5.19 | - 52% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 20 ($0.96) | $1.21 | - 20% | |
12 eggs, large | Mex$ 31 ($1.48) | $3.92 | - 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 20 ($0.98) | $4.21 | - 77% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 57 ($2.75) | $7 | - 61% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 34 ($1.62) | $4.37 | - 63% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 22 ($1.06) | $2.38 | - 56% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 19 ($0.90) | $2.95 | - 69% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 210 ($10) | $18 | - 44% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Mex$ 24 ($1.15) | $2.37 | - 52% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 23 ($1.11) | $2.24 | - 51% | |
Housing | - 70% | |||
Housing in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 70% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Mex$ 25,441 ($1,219) | $3,253 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Mex$ 10,375 ($497) | $2,659 | - 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,090 ($52) | $149 | - 65% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Mex$ 13,036 ($625) | $2,294 | - 73% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Mex$ 5,707 ($274) | $1,555 | - 82% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Mex$ 645 ($31) | $114 | - 73% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 424 ($20) | $38 | - 47% | |
40” flat screen tv | Mex$ 7,016 ($336) | $329 | + 2% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,693 ($81) | $128 | - 37% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 76 ($3.64) | $10 | - 65% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 80 ($3.84) | $37 | - 90% | |
Clothes | - 37% | |||
Clothes in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 37% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 870 ($42) | $49 | - 14% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Mex$ 613 ($29) | $50 | - 42% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,419 ($68) | $89 | - 24% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,070 ($51) | $112 | - 54% | |
Transportation | - 59% | |||
Transportation in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 59% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 216,881 ($10,396) | $23,712 | - 56% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 20 ($0.96) | $0.92 | + 4% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 458 ($22) | $81 | - 73% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Mex$ 316 ($15) | $19 | - 19% | |
Personal Care | - 69% | |||
Personal Care in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 69% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 68 ($3.24) | $7 | - 54% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 81 ($3.89) | $21 | - 81% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 390 ($19) | $110 | - 83% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Mex$ 47 ($2.27) | $7 | - 67% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 46 ($2.19) | $3.71 | - 41% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 48 ($2.29) | $5.68 | - 60% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 21 ($1.00) | $3.57 | - 72% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 26 ($1.26) | $1.93 | - 34% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 154 ($7) | $21 | - 65% | |
Entertainment | - 60% | |||
Entertainment in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 60% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 412 ($20) | $50 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 125 ($5.99) | $27 | - 78% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 821 ($39) | $202 | - 80% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 915 ($44) | $89 | - 51% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 93 ($4.46) | $13 | - 66% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 56 ($2.69) | $5.70 | - 53% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 35 ($1.68) | $8 | - 78% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Mex$ 11,433 ($548) | $436 | + 26% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 1.64 ($0.08) | $0.43 | - 82% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 527 ($25) | $62 | - 59% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 58 ($2.76) | $9 | - 69% | |
TOTAL | - 63% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.04793
USD
/
MXN
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Cost of living in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) is 63% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $3,306 (Mex$ 68,965) in Puerto Vallarta.
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