How Much Money Should I Take To Mexico 2018
Final updated on January i, 2022
I take lived and worked from around the world for more than a decade. Earlier settling on living in United mexican states, I lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand for five months and loved it enough to motility back the following year. That was the get-go time I stayed put in i spot and became a semi-expat. As the months passed, I was so surprised by how affordable living there was that I shared a cost of living post … more often than not for the readers in the A Fiddling Adrift community who had written me over the years wondering how they could beget to live or retire abroad. Long story short, that post went viral and a 1000000 visitors have read nigh the $500 baseline costs to alive in Thailand.
Clearly the financials are interesting. And United mexican states is often the first place American retirees and digital nomads consider when looking at places overseas with a lower toll of living. It's shut to the U.S., the food is both terrific and familiar, and it's fairly piece of cake to make the move. So, with that in listen, this post beneath outlines my my expat stints across Mexico—from a tiny beach town on the Pacific declension to the nutrient capital of Oaxaca.
Why Move to Mexico?
First off, United mexican states is a big country. It's located below nigh of the United states, so imagine driving from Texas to Seattle and you have an idea of what it might take to go to another area of Mexico. This is important to understand, because many of the most popular expat spots are nigh that far removed from the extreme cartel violence you might read about. Expats, retirees, and digital nomads ofttimes love living in Mexico considering of proximity to the U.S.—all of the country's bigger cities offer direct flights to the States, and they're affordable too!
Upkeep, yet, is the driving impetus for a lot of expats moving to Mexico. The average annual wage in Oaxaca, for example, is around $10,500—that's an average and many Mexicans alive on less than that sum (particularly indigenous and rural populations). In fact, attempt this on for size: The Mexican government raised the 2020 minimum wage to about $6.xl per day. I am often emailed a question that'due south roughly this: Why are Mexicans fleeing to the U.S. if expats want to live there? It comes downwardly to social inequality for Mexicans and the sheer amount of money available to those who work in the U.S. and send money home. The U.S. minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, significant if workers can transport even a portion of their daily earnings dwelling house to family unit in Mexico information technology represents a huge sum. Expats occupy a position of extreme privilege, particularly retirees able to utilise the culmination of a lifetime of working in a more expensive and better paid economy, and then basically employ geo-arbitrage to spend their coin and social security checks in a state where the USD goes a lot further. Given that the U.S. has its own social injustices, and given that housing is skyrocketing, many expats wait to Mexico every bit a place where they can afford to live the blazon of life that feels less attainable in the U.S. right now.
Just why Mexico and not other popular places in Key America like Republic of costa rica or Panama? Both of these countries as well offer a low cost of living, but each country offers an entirely different culture, food, and besides different visa requirements. Americans tin easily obtain a retiree visa for Mexico, and digital nomads often have advantage of the automatic six months on-arrival that Americans enjoy when entering Mexico.
Average Cost of Living Across Mexico: $600 – $2,000
My baseline (and total) costs to live in Mexico came in nether $745 every month. I've also lived in Oaxaca too, and it'south even more affordable (I spent well under $600 per month). Housing is your biggest expense, and even Western-way places are affordable. A unmarried person is hard-pressed to spend more than $i,000 here on a modest budget.
| Monthly Expenses | Cost (USD$) |
|---|---|
| Rent & Internet | $375 |
| Electricity & Water | $0 |
| Nutrient | $300 |
| Transportation | $20 |
| Entertainment | $50 |
| Total | $745 |
This post is updated annually with new information. This video shares the costs, way of living, quality of life, and other details about living as an expat in Mexico, with a tour of my studio in a trendy beach town north of Puerto Vallarta:
Price of a Calendar month of Living in San Pancho, Mexico
This entire post outlines the baseline costs—my fixed monthly expenses for i person living in a beach town on the west coast of Mexico. Living in United mexican states is ideal for budget-witting expats, retirees, and travelers. Those living in nearby Costa Rica or Panama tend to have college monthly averages, so I plant my Mexico living situation platonic. Mexico also has a very generous visa policy—vi months on arrival for Americans, which helps keep total living costs low.
The chart shows the basics you'll need to cover when living in almost parts of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta and surrounding communities are mostly pricier than spots in Oaxaca, and mayhap on par with places like San Miguel de Allende.
Non included in this breakup of living costs: medical/health insurance, my plane flight to Mexico, or any expenses I incur outside of living (running this site, insurance, work, etc).
But all the baseline costs are all included in my totals, and really dissimilar the Thailand post, this total includes toiletries and any expenses inside Mexico that cropped upward—I never withdrew more than than USD $750 from the ATM each month. And this upkeep is on the loftier-finish for i person; if I had looked around for an apartment or shared a firm with friends my costs would have lowered to $600 (and my friend Earl says that's about the cost of living in Playa del Carmen on the east declension beaches as well). I also spent less than that easily when shared a apartment and lived in Oaxaca, which is an inland city and far cheaper than the coastal towns, so your coin goes further. I share a heap of United mexican states resource at the end.
One of the high points of Mexico, a articulate advantage over living in Asia, is the visa situation. As a U.S. citizen, I receive a six month visa on arrival automatically, and this can exist reset but by crossing a border and coming dorsum … indefinitely. For those considering moving overseas without the gamble for a retirement visa, the visa policy in Mexico is a big boon. The visa situation in Southeast Asia is a lot trickier, and although I didn't include the visa runs into my baseline costs in SEA, information technology was admittedly a large part of living in that location for six months and information technology could add up a lot if you lot were in that location years on terminate.
Right at present, the peso is roughly nineteen or 20 pesos to 1 Usa dollar. Use that effigy as a guide to the food and send costs I mention (check that exchange charge per unit here). In the video and these breakdowns, I very specifically quote pesos and not dollars as my costs considering the commutation rate may vary, but you will be paying for your life in pesos!
What Did Daily Life Look Like?
The various facets of living abroad are part of what makes one place appeal to some expats while others adopt something vastly dissimilar. I'g on the fence betwixt Asia and Latin America, I love them both for different reasons, so rather than compare these aspects of life to each other, beneath is the food, life, and civilisation you lot become for that budget living in a beach town on United mexican states's Pacific declension.
A Light, Blusterous Studio Apartment
I didn't look very hard for my apartment; in fact, information technology's the kickoff one I came across. I loved the family compound I lived within (they had a split up house with three rental apartments within their lot) and it's one of the things I value living solo … I like having other people nearby who have my well-being in listen in case something happens. And so, the apartment was 4,500 pesos per month ( $375 at the time) which is on the high-cease for a studio in my boondocks but the price included all utilities and really strong internet, which is essential for my online work.
A high point of living in Mexico is the fact that apartments and houses come with full kitchens (though mine was minus an oven), this is really great if you lot're keen to melt—annihilation you rent here will likely come with a stove and pots and pans if information technology'southward a furnished flat. Other than the kitchen, it had everything else y'all would wait in a studio—full-size bed, counter with stools (where I worked from), closet, and a bath (a tour is shown in the video above).
Other places in town rent out as holiday rentals or rooms for anywhere from USD $200 per month on the very low-end (likely no wi-fi) to $500+ for 1 and 2 bedrooms. And ane town over, in Sayulita (which is bigger and more than touristy has a great beach, a lot more food, bars, etc), the apartment prices are really pretty comparable—ideal if you like the thought of Mexico but think my town was a bit likewise small! :)
Delicious Vegetarian Eats
Information technology'south no secret I'chiliad a vegetarian, so for me, a country gets bonus points for not only the accessibility of vegetarian nutrient, but the understanding of the concept of vegetarianism. Mexico'due south skillful on both fronts, though not e'er cracking. During loftier flavour my trivial town had simply enough options to keep it interesting, and as the seasons shifted I cooked in my flat a lot more than using fresh veggies from the markets, which was fun and gave me a kick toward my goal of becoming a better cook (Asia spoiled me because the lack of kitchens and cheap street food meant I never had to learn to melt these past years).
For costs, a cheap quesadilla runs xv pesos (just over $1) at ane of the stands, a nicer taco costs almost 40 pesos (about $3.25), and a veggie meal at i of the scattering of restaurants in town runs up to $10 or $15 USD. I was lucky to have friends in boondocks so I could split one of the big pizzas for our weekly Friday-night gatherings, and my friends Victoria and Steve often hosted potlucks.
I also drink a lot of java; and then although I made my own pot each solar day, the food budget included many espressos each calendar week. My nutrient budget was pretty generous, so if you melt at home, even adding the cost of cooking meat, I think yous could get by on 1,000 pesos each week. I oft bought organic veggies (expensive) at the Friday market in Sayulita, then the food budget is generous for a range of eating styles.
Getting From Here to There
One of the perks of living in a one-street town is that yous don't need a whole lot of transportation! That being said, I chose to live on the far end of the main street very close the customs center where I volunteered (and about a 10-infinitesimal walk from the beach). A mere 10 minutes doesn't seem like much, but in the scorching heat I was happy to accept utilise of a bicycle from the family unit compound.
And for leaving San Pancho, Puerto Vallarta is nigh 45 minutes away and costs only a few dollars each way on the charabanc—this is the closest big city. Sayulita is a perfectly lovely small town (much bigger than mine though) and information technology was merely 20 minutes upwardly the road. This ride costs $1 each way on the charabanc or a quick (and like shooting fish in a barrel) hitchhike ride.
Sayulita was perfect to have nearby if I needed to vary up my food, explore a bit, or merely exit of town for a few hours. There are many other beaches driveable, some ruins, one-time stuff to look at, etc if you lot're nifty to explore. I worked a lot and then my bike took me well-nigh anywhere I wanted to go.
Nightlife in San Pancho
I am non a partier. Whew, glad we got that out of the way. Now, when I say that I accept a low-upkeep for alcohol and partying you can adjust information technology accordingly for yourself. San Pancho is a dandy town for nightlife if you like a flake of diverseness but zilch too crazy—no dance clubs, but nosotros did have ii great bars and a lot of live music throughout the week. In fact, during high season in that location was live music at ane of the bars or restaurants well-nigh every dark.
One of the things I loved all-time near the boondocks was that the pace of partying was a lot closer to what I prefer—everyone chilling, talking, listening to music, and enjoying company. Add together to that some game nights at Victoria and Steve'southward for Jungle Speed (had never heard of this game but it was fun and hilarious to play in a group), beach bonfires, and conversation … I felt similar Goldilocks—San Pancho was just right.
Quality of Life in United mexican states
This fleck surprised me some, I knew that many Americans headed southward of our border to live but I never really understood why until I stopped and spent four months on the Pacific coast taking in the truly stunning sunsets, the relaxed temper and the affordable lifestyle. The only thing I expected but never plant was the fright and danger.
I've honestly discussed the question of prophylactic and danger in travel. Our perceptions and reality of the globe are ofttimes skewed; that is true of Mexico. While in that location arecertainly dangerous places in Mexico, the country is huge. The people and cultures shift and change with the terrain and there are some surprisingly safe cities throughout the country if you know where to await (look to the blogosphere!).
I really loved the access to affordable healthcare (a bonus Thailand had as well), agreeing expats who I now phone call close friends, and a pace of life that encouraged me to slow down and enjoy the lilliputian moments.
The short of information technology all is that Mexico proved more than expensive at daily living than Thailand, but notwithstanding at to the lowest degree one-half the hire I paid living in Los Angeles in my pre-travel days. And the flights to Mexico are far cheaper for North Americans. Although it wasn't as cheap, I have continued to brand United mexican states a regular stop on my travels in the years since I lived in San Pancho and Oaxaca. The plane flights are affordable, I speak the language, and I enjoy the culture. It's a privilege to even accept this power, and I appreciate that Mexico has a lot to offering American expats. And too, many of these towns capeesh the influx of money and added services that come up with expats moving to boondocks.
It'southward the sum total of it all that I beloved—past living outside the U.S. (I now reside in Barcelona, Espana), I am able to scale back the hours I have to piece of work each calendar week to survive, and instead focus that attention on doing things I love: volunteering in the nearby community middle, taking photographs, and having the time to enjoy the friendships I make. No place is perfect, but for $750 a month, nightly sunsets, lots of friends, and tasty tacos … I'll return to United mexican states soon. :)
Relevant Links & Resources for Moving to Mexico
- You volition need comprehensive worldwide expat insurance and separate property insurance policy once yous're living overseas—I've used IMG Global and Clements for many years now with great success and highly recommend both. I have used these them in tandem since 2008.
- Read The People's Guide t o Mexico: Fifty-fifty if you're a veteran Mexico traveler, this is easily-down the best guidebook yous should utilise to empathize the diverse regions, the cultural quirks, and all the reasons Mexico is a fantastic place to travel and live. It comes highly recommended by me, and by heaps of Amazon reviewers too.
- Living in Republic of guatemala: This eguide shares the cost of living and what it's like in one of my favorite spots in Key America, Republic of guatemala. Although different than Mexico'south expat scene, there are some very compelling reasons (great civilisation and affordability, to proper name two) to consider moving to Guate.
- A Better Life for One-half the Price: A Mexican expat breaks down all the major expat spots in the world with costs, quality of living, and resources. I learned heaps and found a couple countries I hadn't previously considered. It'due south worth buying if you're still searching out which country is all-time for the life you want to live.
- Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America: At that place are a lot of these general guides. The book above, Amend Life is about where is a practiced civilization fit, whereas this is the better of the lot of "motion overseas" books that covers the practicalities and very hands-on information you demand equally someone because living anywhere outside the U.S. If you're new all the researching, this can boot-beginning your process. And if y'all are light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-focused on the retirement topic, versus moving overseas at a unlike country in life, this retirement guide has dandy advice.
- The Tax Book for U.S. Expats: This is well-priced and unique to expats and retirees filing abroad. It gives a granular expect at forms, terms, and sorting out exactly how to file — good for those with complicated tax situations. More recently released,U.Southward. Taxes for Worldly Americans goes broader and is aimed at younger expats and digital nomads still working and handling how to earn income overseas, pay taxes, and live a nomadic life. It doesn't explain the terms or niche situations/forms as well every bit the other book, merely instead acts as a guide for younger travelers. Depending on your state of affairs, pick upwardly a copy of 1 of these guides before yous go out so that you will accept a tax system in place that maximizes the opportunities to easily file.
- Cheque out a Facebook group called "On the Route in Mexico" is a good place to ask questions of other expats.
- And dig through the two solid United mexican states expat forums here.
Other Mexico Cost of Living Posts
- Couples apartment in San Pancho: A look at another rental property in town.
- Couples budget in Sayulita: A thorough breakdown of how much an apartment and life will cost in Sayulita, which is the larger town xx minutes from San Pancho.
- Ii solo budgets in Playa del Carmen: Nomadic Notes and Wandering Earl intermission downwards costs on an east coast beach.
- Family budget in Lake Chapala: While the site is no longer agile, this archived version shares a family of three's budget in the interior.
- Thailand cost of living mail: I reference this throughout and thought I'd provide a handy link if you're keen to compare living costs.
- Oaxaca City, Mexico. I haven't written up this as a full detailed budget post, just I lived in Oaxaca for six months in 2016. The pace of life is different inland, and the metropolis is at altitude (almost the aforementioned as Denver). At that place is also a big expat community of snowbirds. At that place is a rich cultural and nutrient history. I wrote a detailed guide to visiting Oaxaca. Upkeep-wise, my hire was half of rent in San Pacho and for more space. If you're looking at long-term rentals (not the three-calendar month apartment rentals that are quickly filled in winters by snowbirds), you can find a two-bedroom on the border of Oaxaca Centro for less than USD $300. Food is affordable and the city has some of the most famous restaurants in the state.
San Pancho Travel and Visit Specifics
Airdrome to SP: Cheapest is the bus, by far. Taxis are going to run you a fair chip more. The motorbus makes a number of stops, but it's not so bad. I had a friend who luckily was able to selection me up my first day, simply later that I frequently made the trek into Puerta Vallarta via bus. Where ever you volume for accommodation will as well be able to accommodate a taxi pick-upward (sometimes for less than the going rate if you lot hail i) if you reach out beforehand. If you are already in the area, the bus is straightforward and takes 45 minutes to an hour from downtown PV.
Finding Accommodation: I recommend arriving in San Pancho earlier trying to find a place to stay, otherwise you volition only find vacation rentals listed. Once you are in town, you can rent a bicycle for the day or walk effectually town and you will run into many signs for hire. You can as well talk with local expats and ask around. With average Spanish, you will take no problem finding something in just a few days, peculiarly if information technology's low flavour (get at that place before November). If you don't speak Spanish, or you came in high season, pop into the existent estate agencies. They handle rentals too and are fantastic resources on any metropolis mentioned.
For where to stay, there are three tiers of pricing, the Hostal San Pancho or Shaka Surf House if you don't mind a shared-dorm; these are the two about affordable options in town. Above Hostal San Pancho is an affordable, very overnice guesthouse chosen Refugio de Sol—this is admittedly your all-time bet for individual accommodation that's still upkeep to mid-range prices. If that's booked though, other nice individual accommodation in the $threescore tp $80 per night range include: Verde Luna, Casa Terraza, and JardÃn San Pancho B&B.
If you lot're in Sayulita, my friends rented a nice place from Villas Vista Suites for 3 months— I would first there for online hunting. If yous're using Sayulita every bit your base, consider the Aurinko Bungalows or Casa Pia as a mid-range option and then daytrip over to San Pancho. These all come up recommended, and if you program to move to the area they are a expert base.
For a midrange hotel in Puerto Vallarta, look at Hotel Mercurio.
And in whatsoever of them, in that location are at present also plenty of options on Airbnb.
Working: In that location are some places that hire expats, though it'south under the tabular array. To get these gigs y'all will definitely need to be in boondocks and getting to know the people, places, and other expats. I know for sure that some friends worked at the mid-range and high-end restaurants in SP or Sayulita. A few expats too taught English language for a small stipend at Entre Amigos, the community center.
Other: For work and living, information technology really volition be so much easier on the ground. It's a very modest town and the expat community is super supportive. It's a cinch to get the lay of the land in one case you lot get in. Places like Darjeeling take fantastic tea and nutrient, and then live music throughout the week. SP is more low-fundamental than Sayulita, but at that place is usually something to do two to 5 nights a calendar week depending on the season, and so you can e'er get to Sayulita if you need more of a vibe sometimes.
Deciding Where to Live
In response to numerous emails asking about the differences between the scattering of towns north of Puerto Vallarta, here's Cliff'south Notes summary of the differences in instance you're sussing out which is ameliorate for you. All three would accept like costs of living. And then I include a couple other towns and thoughts in case you're looking at other Mexican towns:
Bucerias: Sprawling, no defined downtown area, neighborhoods stacked backside a big road and a beach. Very close to the PV, several big resorts. Less heavy with expats than any other surrounding boondocks. No defined personality.
Sayulita: Very small, beach is very crowded with surfers because the water is proficient for swimming, entirely walkable within the town. Lots of restaurants, shops, a language school, etc. Touristy but a very clear personality with organic markets, yoga shops, surfers, etc. More than of a nightlife than San Pancho (a later nightlife I should say).
San Pancho: Tiny, one main road, a scattering of options for restaurants. 1, sometimes two, coffee shops. Embankment is gorgeous merely not very safe for kids swimming (though some practise) because of stiff waves/undertow. A tight-knit group of expats, can't exit home without seeing someone you know. Local kids have gratuitous reign of the whole town. Lots of musicians and something going on each nighttime of the week in high season at ane of the pubs/bars.
Guanajuato/San Miguel: In the interior, these two towns merely exude pretty colonial charm. San Miguel del Allende is smaller and more popular with expats, while Guanajuato is a decent sized city with a great vibe, an affordable cost of living, and a decent-but-not-overwhelming expat customs.
Oaxaca: I lived here for six months and found it is 1 of the near affordable expat cities in Mexico. The customs is different than what you notice in San Miguel or PV, it seems there are more opportunities to integrate into Mexican life. This is the food eye of Mexico, in that location are many ethnic cultures in and around the city, and the only real drawback is the political nature of the city—there are a lot of strikes and protests from the teachers unions and other groups.
Yucatan: Hugely popular with expats (and spring breakers), a bit pricier than the west coast, gorgeous beaches and diving. Very touristy region in general only convenient and safe.
Happy travels!
Cost of Living Comparison
Still researching the correct spot to live? Our Cost of Living Guides share all-encompassing resources on all the major expat spots around the earth. These guides include thorough breakdowns of the civilisation, quality of life, vibe, and—importantly—budget breakdowns so you lot can amend plan which spot in the world all-time meets your needs.
Source: https://alittleadrift.com/cost-of-living-mexico/
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