Since founding Mexico Relocation Guide in 2019, Mariana Lange has helped over 20,000 Americans and other expats move to Mexico.
“Mexico is greatly misrepresented in the general American media,” Lange said. “Not only do my clients feel safe, they also feel less stressed than they did in the U.S. They credit a healthier lifestyle of walking more, eating fresher food and not being surrounded by political news.”
As a former expat myself who spent ten years living abroad, I love these stories. Lange shared three clients’ monthly budgets and experiences as American expats living in Mexico.
Luther in Playa del Carmen
Luther splits his time between the U.S. and Playa del Carmen on the Yucatán Peninsula’s Mayan Riviera along the Caribbean coast. He doesn’t keep a car in Mexico.
“When I need to do bigger shopping, taxis cost me around 1,000 pesos a month (about $50 USD). Otherwise, I walk everywhere. I’ve lived in both Mérida and Playa del Carmen now and I love it,” according to Luther.
His budget breaks down as follows:
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Rent: 14,000 MXN = $757 USD (studio apartment)
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Electricity: 3,000 MXN = $162 USD
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Internet (Telmex/Infinitum): 649 MXN = $35 USD
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Transportation: ~1,000 MXN/month taxis = $54 USD
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Groceries: ~4,000 MXN = $216 USD
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Eating Out: ~3,000 MXN = $162 USD
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Cell Phone: 100 MXN (Telcel) = $5 USD
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Massage/Spinal Injury Therapy: 6,000 MXN = $324 USD
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Entertainment: 500 MXN = $27 USD
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Beach Drinks: 400 MXN = $22 USD
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Total Monthly Expenses: $1,764 USD per month
By way of comparison, Numbeo reports the cost of living in Playa del Carmen to be 48.2% lower than in Chicago.
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Ruben in Santiago de Querétaro
Living full-time in the Zakia neighborhood of Querétaro, 30-something Ruben and his partner also don’t bother owning a car given the walkable city.
“We love our home. It’s modern, spacious with four bedrooms, a loft and a rooftop terrace. Renting a place like this in the U.S. would be impossible for us,” Ruben said.
Their budget for two looks like this:
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Rent: 17,000 MXN = $919 USD
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Electricity: included in rent
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Propane: ~1,100 MXN/month = $59 USD
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Transportation (Uber/DiDi): ~5,250 MXN/month = $284 USD
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Internet (Quattrocom Fiber Optic): 360 MXN = $19 USD
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Cell Phone (Telcel): 549 MXN = $30 USD
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Groceries: 5,000 MXN = $270 USD
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Restaurants/Eating Out: 5,000 MXN = $270 USD
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Total Monthly Expenses: $1,851 USD per month
At 51.7% cheaper than Chicago, Querétaro also offers an incredible bargain.
Céline in Mexico City
As a 49-year-old expat living in the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood of Mexico City, Céline rents a one-bedroom apartment and also eschews car ownership.
“I don’t own a car. Between Uber, Indrive, Didi, Ecobici and the Metro, I spend about 800 pesos (about $44 USD) a month on transportation, and it gets me everywhere I need to go,” Céline said.
Her budget looks similar:
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Rent: 17,500 MXN = $978 USD
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Electricity: 125 MXN/month = $7 USD
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Internet: 899 MXN = $49 USD
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Cell Phone: 150 MXN = $8 USD
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Transportation (Uber/Didi/Ecobici/Metro): ~800 MXN = $43 USD
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Groceries: 2,500 MXN = $135 USD
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Restaurants/Eating Out: 900 MXN = $49 USD
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Workshops/Classes (Photography, Linoleum printing, etc.): 2,000 MXN = $108 USD
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Personal Care / Misc: 2,000 MXN = $108 USD
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Total Monthly Expenses: $1,485 USD per month
Beside offering significantly better weather, Mexico City also costs 45.7% less than Chicago.
“My workshops are a big part of my life here, such as photography, linoleum printing and other creative classes,” Céline shared. “They’re affordable and a major reason why Mexico City feels so inspiring.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How I Live a Healthier, Safer Luxury Lifestyle in Mexico on $1,800 a Month