Cost of living in Mexico compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Mexico is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Mexico | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 305 ($15) | $22 | - 30% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Mex$ 175 ($9) | $12 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 72 ($3.56) | $5.81 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 29 ($1.41) | $1.11 | + 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Mex$ 50 ($2.45) | $5.30 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 34 ($1.68) | $4.87 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 87 ($4.30) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 47 ($2.31) | $4.25 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 34 ($1.66) | $2.31 | - 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 31 ($1.52) | $3.57 | - 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 262 ($13) | $18 | - 27% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Mex$ 38 ($1.89) | $2.93 | - 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 29 ($1.42) | $3.16 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 69% | |||
| Housing in Mexico is 69% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Mexico | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Mex$ 23,098 ($1,142) | $3,252 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Mex$ 12,067 ($597) | $2,455 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,258 ($62) | $230 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Mex$ 14,682 ($726) | $2,252 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Mex$ 7,121 ($352) | $1,657 | - 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Mex$ 869 ($43) | $165 | - 74% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 421 ($21) | $63 | - 67% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Mex$ 5,871 ($290) | $255 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 2,396 ($119) | $145 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 124 ($6) | $15 | - 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 134 ($7) | $34 | - 81% | |
| Clothes | - 28% | |||
| Clothes in Mexico is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Mexico | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 948 ($47) | $58 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Mex$ 735 ($36) | $51 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,720 ($85) | $105 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,452 ($72) | $142 | - 50% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in Mexico is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Mexico | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 408,954 ($20,225) | $30,773 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 24 ($1.19) | $0.95 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 652 ($32) | $87 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 54% | |||
| Personal Care in Mexico is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Mexico | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 108 ($5.36) | $9 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 280 ($14) | $21 | - 33% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 717 ($35) | $162 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Mex$ 81 ($3.99) | $9 | - 56% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 67 ($3.31) | $5.25 | - 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 83 ($4.13) | $7 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 39 ($1.94) | $5.12 | - 62% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 40 ($1.99) | $2.34 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 305 ($15) | $31 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 60% | |||
| Entertainment in Mexico is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Mexico | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 382 ($19) | $61 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 172 ($8) | $30 | - 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 925 ($46) | $230 | - 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 853 ($42) | $104 | - 59% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 200 ($10) | $15 | - 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 93 ($4.59) | $5.86 | - 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 57 ($2.80) | $8 | - 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Mex$ 11,182 ($553) | $490 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 2.42 ($0.12) | $0.54 | - 78% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 905 ($45) | $72 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 80 ($3.94) | $11 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 56% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04945
USD
/
MXN
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 23,199 prices entered by 2,656 different people.
Cost of living in Mexico is 56% cheaper than in United States
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