# How much does it cost to live in Mexico in 2026?

As an October 2026 estimate, one person in Mexico needs roughly $850 to $1,700 a month for rent, food, transport and IMSS public health coverage. A couple needs about $1,250 to $2,350, and costs vary widely by city.

Dollar figures use 18.19 pesos per dollar, the US Federal Reserve's H.10 rate for 2 October 2026. Prices come from Numbeo's crowd-sourced data, updated in early October 2026, unless noted.

Rent: a one-bedroom outside central Mérida averaged about $456 a month. Outside central Guadalajara it was about $491. In central Mexico City it was about $1,041.

Food: Numbeo's minimum grocery budget for Mexico City was about $315 per person a month. We allow up to about $450 if you eat out often. Transport: a Mexico City monthly transit pass was 360 pesos, or about $20.

Health: residents can buy IMSS family health insurance. From 1 March 2026, IMSS lists annual fees of 14,350 pesos at ages 40 to 49 and 20,600 pesos at ages 60 to 69. That is about $66 to $94 a month per person.

Totals: these four lines come to about $850 to $1,700 for one person and $1,250 to $2,350 for a couple. Utilities, phone and leisure are extra. Many people also carry private insurance.

## Sources

- [Foreign Exchange Rates, H.10](https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/current/), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
- [Seguro de Salud para la Familia](https://imss.gob.mx/faq/seguro-familia), Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
- [Cost of Living in Mexico City](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Mexico-City), Numbeo
- [Cost of Living in Guadalajara](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Guadalajara), Numbeo
- [Cost of Living in Merida](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Merida), Numbeo
- [Food Prices in Mexico City](https://www.numbeo.com/food-prices/in/Mexico-City), Numbeo

Facts checked 2026-10-08. Next review by 2027-01-08. Written and reviewed by Todd Allyn, Sovereo Intelligence Research. Canonical page: https://www.sovereo.com/answers/how-much-does-it-cost-to-live-in-mexico-in-2026/
Educational research, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice.