Travel budget in Mexico

Mexico: calculate your travel budget

Mexico: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Mexico for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 45 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 14 per person
  • $ 2.6 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1077* (18032 MXN)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 90 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 27 per person
  • $ 13 per person
  • $ 5.1 per person

Total budget:

$ 2480* (41496 MXN)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 149 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 40 per person
  • $ 29 per person
  • $ 11 per person

Total budget:

$ 4287* (71736 MXN)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Mexico in 2024

Cost of living: Mexico VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Mexico in 2024 is 24% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in Mexico by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Mexico compared to the national average.

Cities /Mexico View Details
Tijuana 18% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Tijuana
Puerto Vallarta 16% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Puerto Vallarta
Cozumel 15% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Cozumel
Cancun 11% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Cancun
Tulum 10% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Tulum
Monterrey 8% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Monterrey
Mexico City 1% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Mexico City
Chihuahua 0% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Chihuahua
Acapulco 7% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Acapulco

Show all cities (28 more)




Local prices in Mexico by expense type

Mexico: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Mexico costs 39% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 9.6/person
($ 5.3 to $ 19)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 22/person
($ 14 to $ 46)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 8.9/person
($ 7.2 to $ 12)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.7 for 500ml
($ 1.5 to $ 4.6)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.3 to $ 4.8)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 3.3/cup
($ 1.5 to $ 5.2)

35% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1.3/can
($ 0.9 to $ 2.2)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1/bottle
($ 0.7 to $ 1.7)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Mexico: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Mexico costs 42% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 75/night
($ 20 to $ 320)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 138
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 77/night
($ 34 to $ 244)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 143
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 104/night
($ 45 to $ 308)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 206
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 193/night
($ 84 to $ 451)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 295
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 299/night
($ 160 to $ 643)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 523
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 67/month
($ 22 to $ 258)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 139/month
($ 60 to $ 386)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 206
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 126/month
($ 50 to $ 387)

33% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 189
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 96/month
($ 43 to $ 272)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 227
Family room
Family room
$ 143/month
($ 56 to $ 462)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 192

Mexico: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Mexico costs 31% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 2)

49% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 2.7/500g
($ 1.4 to $ 4.1)

23% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 1.9/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 2.4)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.6/12 eggs
($ 1.6 to $ 4.2)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 8.3/kg
($ 4.1 to $ 12)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 2.9/kg
($ 1.5 to $ 4.1)

43% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.9/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.3)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.1/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.9)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.1
($ 0.8 to $ 1.5)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Mexico: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Mexico is 20% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.7/ticket
($ 0.3 to $ 1)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.7/km
($ 0.5 to $ 2.9)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.5)

47% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2.9
($ 1.3 to $ 4.8)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8
Car hire
Car hire
$ 77/24hrs
($ 21 to $ 462)

142% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 32

Mexico: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Mexico costs 37% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 5.1/ticket
($ 4.1 to $ 8.9)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 21/hr
($ 12 to $ 31)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Mexico: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Mexico costs 16% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 4.5/pack
($ 4.1 to $ 5.3)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 58
($ 31 to $ 91)

7% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 44
($ 24 to $ 72)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Cancun
New York City → Cancun
New York City → Cancun
$ 451
(fair price: $ 359)
Los Angeles → Cancun
Los Angeles  → Cancun
Los Angeles  → Cancun
$ 424
(fair price: $ 331)
New York City → Mexico City
New York City → Mexico City
New York City → Mexico City
$ 488
(fair price: $ 435)
Los Angeles → Mexico City
Los Angeles  → Mexico City
Los Angeles  → Mexico City
$ 315
(fair price: $ 271)
Chicago → Mexico City
Chicago → Mexico City
Chicago → Mexico City
$ 322
(fair price: $ 273)
Chicago → Cancun
Chicago → Cancun
Chicago → Cancun
$ 404
(fair price: $ 288)

Book a flight Flight prices to Mexico





About the information on the cost of living in Mexico

The information about the cost of living in Mexico shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Mexico updated on 15-03-2024.

Change currency