Cheapest priced cityPlaya del Carmen$948 essentials/mo
Priciest priced cityPuerto Vallarta$1,395 essentials/mo
Average 1-bed outside centre$588across 6 priced cities
Tourist stay signalUp to 180 days visa-free on an FMM tourist permit for the US, Canada, EU, UK and dozens of other passports.as of 2026-07
City-by-city monthly costs
Essentials are sourced rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining, and local transport. They are not a full lifestyle budget.
| City | Essentials | 1-bed outside | 1-bed centre | Groceries | Dining | Utilities | Transport | Avg salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa del Carmen | $948 | $391 | $1,058 | $148 | $261 | $119 | $29 | $662 |
| Guadalajara | $1,065 | $509 | $898 | $157 | $286 | $81 | $32 | $785 |
| Merida | $1,094 | $511 | $676 | $151 | $257 | $154 | $21 | $612 |
| Mexico City | $1,250 | $711 | $1,113 | $168 | $252 | $98 | $21 | $1,048 |
| Monterrey | $1,334 | $680 | $977 | $174 | $291 | $156 | $33 | $1,120 |
| Puerto Vallarta | $1,395 | $724 | $1,429 | $183 | $304 | $167 | $17 | $919 |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.
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