MigrantoCost of living in Mexico
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Mexico
Spending runs from MX$4,570 a month in the poorest fifth to MX$39,900 in the richest
Per person, whole country
MX$11,900
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
MX$4,570richest 20%
MX$39,900
Where people spend money in Mexico
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Mexico in numbers
Transport takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 20.5% of spending here, or MX$2,430 a month, against 11.3% in a typical country, 9.2 points more.
The richest fifth spends 8.7× the poorest
Spending runs from MX$4,570 a month in the poorest fifth to MX$39,900 in the richest, which is #30 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
How living costs in Mexico compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Mexico against other countries
More expensive than 66% of countries
Where Mexico sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs MX$17,200 at world-middle prices costs MX$21,500 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Mexico
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Cost of living in Mexico
MX$4,570/mo
vs MX$13,800 in your country
Take-home
MX$5,450
vs MX$20,700 in your country
Potential savings
MX$886
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Mexico?
A typical person in Mexico spends about MX$11,900 a month — around MX$143,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Mexico?
By spending, Mexico ranks #66 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about MX$11,900 a month, the poorest 20% about MX$4,570 and the richest 20% about MX$39,900. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Mexico in US dollars?
The cost of living in Mexico is about $690 a month, or roughly $8,280 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Mexico?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about MX$4,570 a month per person, a typical one around MX$11,900, and a comfortable life around MX$17,200. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Mexico?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about MX$3,030 a month (26% of spending). Then come transport (MX$2,430, 21%) and housing (MX$1,910, 16%).
Is the average salary in Mexico enough to live on?
Usually not quite. Average spending is about MX$11,900 a month, while the average take-home pay in Mexico is about MX$9,440. For more on incomes, see salaries in Mexico.
Is Mexico an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Mexico is more expensive than 65% of countries worldwide and ranks 12th of 33 in Latin America by cost of living.
What currency is used in Mexico?
Mexico uses the Mexican Peso (MXN). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Mexico
See the full country overview