Hola, amigos! Thinking about studying in Mexico? Or maybe trying to work there? Mexico has so much to offer: rich culture, delicious food, and a relatively lower cost of living compared to European countries or the United States. But before you decide to move or even stay for a long term, it’s important to fully understand the cost of living in Mexico. Let’s go through it together so your plan becomes more solid!
Cost of Living in Mexico
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In general, the cost of living in Mexico varies quite a bit. Many people say Mexico is very affordable for backpackers, students, or digital nomads. However, it all depends on your lifestyle. Whether you want to live frugally or luxuriously, you can adjust it to your needs.
One of the most exciting things about Mexico is the flexibility in lifestyle choices. You can enjoy street food on the roadside or hang out at cozy, hipster cafés. For accommodation, you can choose between budget boarding houses or modern apartments in the city center. Overall, Mexico is very friendly for all kinds of people!
Cost of Living in Mexico
- Meal cost
When it comes to food, Mexico is a champion! Street food here is not only cheap but also incredibly delicious. Tacos, tamales, and quesadillas are a must-try.
- Street Food:One portion of tacos usually costs only around 20–50 pesos (about Rp20,000–40,000). If you eat 2–3 portions per meal, your daily food budget can be kept very affordable.
- Mid-Range Restaurants:Eating at a sit-down restaurant usually costs around 150–300 pesos (Rp120,000–240,000). Perfect for when you want to enjoy something a bit fancy occasionally.
- Grocery Shopping:For those who like to cook, buying ingredients at traditional markets can save a lot of money. A weekly grocery trip usually costs around 500–800 pesos (Rp400,000–650,000), depending on how much you cook.
Mexico also has a strong coffee culture. Hanging out at a café can cost around 50–100 pesos (Rp40,000–80,000) per visit, but many cafés are cozy and still budget-friendly!
- Housing Costs
Rent in Mexico depends greatly on the city and location. For example:
- Mexico City (CDMX):Renting an apartment in the city center (Zona Rosa, Condesa, Polanco) costs around 8,000–12,000 pesos per month (about Rp6.5–10 million).
- Other Cities (such as Guadalajara, Mérida):Apartment rent is more affordable, around 5,000–8,000 pesos per month (Rp4–6.5 million).
- Shared Apartment/Room Rental:If you want to save more, there are many shared apartments available for around 4,000–6,000 pesos per month (Rp3–5 million), often including electricity, water, and internet.
If you’re a digital nomad, there are plenty of coworking spaces that also offer coliving, with prices ranging from 5,000–10,000 pesos per month.
- Transportation costs
Transportation in Mexico is relatively affordable, especially in big cities like Mexico City, which has a fairly complete transport system. Metro and bus tickets cost only around 5–10 pesos (Rp4,000–8,000) per trip. For short taxi rides, it’s usually around 40–100 pesos (Rp30,000–80,000). Ride-hailing services like Grab or Uber are also available—slightly more expensive but still safe and comfortable.
In addition, there are many bike and electric scooter rental services for short-distance travel, costing around 20–50 pesos per 30 minutes.
- Healthcare Costs
When it comes to healthcare, Mexico has many private clinics and international hospitals. A general doctor consultation at a private clinic usually costs around 500–1,000 pesos (Rp400,000–800,000).
However, to stay on the safe side, it’s better to have international health insurance. Even though doctor fees are relatively affordable, hospitalization costs can be quite high.
Pro tip: Many universities or workplaces already provide local insurance, so check first to avoid paying twice!
- Miscellaneous expense
Besides basic needs, there are other important expenses to consider. For internet and mobile credit, home internet packages usually cost around 400–600 pesos (Rp320,000–500,000) per month, while mobile data plans range from 200–300 pesos (Rp160,000–240,000).
For entertainment and hanging out, movie tickets usually cost around 70–150 pesos (Rp50,000–120,000). Concerts, music festivals, or local events range from 300–1,000 pesos depending on the event. Meanwhile, for shopping and fashion, Mexico has many affordable local markets (mercado), but if you shop in large malls, prices are not much different from Indonesia.
- Daily Living Expenses
To make it easier to imagine, here’s an example of daily expenses for someone living simply but comfortably:
- Breakfast and coffee: 50–100 pesos
- Lunch at a local eatery: 60–100 pesos
- Dinner: 70–150 pesos
- Daily transportation: 20–50 pesos
- Hanging out/movie: 100–150 pesos
Total: Around 300–500 pesos per day (Rp240,000–400,000). This is enough for a comfortable lifestyle without many compromises.
Monthly Cost of Living in Mexico
When everything is added up, the average monthly cost of living in Mexico for one person (with a budget-friendly but comfortable lifestyle) is around 12,000–20,000 pesos (Rp10–16 million). This includes rent, food and drinks, transportation, internet and mobile plans, and daily needs.
If your lifestyle is more relaxed or you frequently hang out at trendy places, the budget can increase to 25,000–30,000 pesos (Rp20–24 million). But one thing is certain—Mexico is very flexible: you can live very frugally or quite luxuriously, depending on how you manage your spending!
Money-Saving Tips in Mexico
To keep your wallet safe and your trip running smoothly, here are some money-saving tips you should try:
- Shop at local markets, as fruits, vegetables, and groceries are much cheaper than in supermarkets.
- Use public transportation, since the metro and buses in Mexico are safe, comfortable, and very affordable.
- Share an apartment with friends to save up to 50% on housing costs, depending on your agreement.
- Look for online promotions, as many transport and restaurant deals are available on apps like Uber Eats, Rappi, and others.
- Exercise regularly and eat healthily to avoid spending too much on medical expenses.
- Cook your own meals—not only is it cheaper, but you can also try unique and fun Mexican recipes.
- Choose accommodation outside the city center, as rent and living costs are usually cheaper in the suburbs.
- Bring your own water bottle, as it helps you save money and is more environmentally friendly.
If you plan to stay longer in Mexico or send money to family or friends there, make sure you use a safe and reliable money transfer service like Easylink now to transfer money in an easier, faster, and more affordable way!