Cost of living in Mexicali

In Mexicali, Mexico, living costs about $955 per month for one person and $2284 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Mexicali compared to other cities?

Overall living costs in Mexicali are 8% more expensive than the European benchmark.

How does Mexicali compare to your city?

Mexicali is 65% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Mexicali is, on average, 83% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Mexicali?

Who is Mexicali a good fit for?

Mexicali is a better match for people who prioritize lifestyle benefits and can afford the premium driven by transport and rent & utilities. For most moderate-income households, housing costs are the main barrier.

FAQ

Why is Mexicali so expensive?

The main driver of higher costs in Mexicali is rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall living expenses.

Is food expensive in Mexicali?

No, food is actually 12% lower than the European benchmark, making it more affordable for residents.

Is public transport affordable in Mexicali?

Public transport is 51% higher than the European benchmark, which may be a concern for daily commuters.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
955 $
Without Rent
504 $
Rent & Utilities
451 $
Food
302 $
Transport
133 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
799 $
GDP per Capita
13,926 $
Freedom Index
6.55
Lifespan
75 years
Speak English
13%
Population
1.0M

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 11.9 $
Dinner 35.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.56 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.26 $
Capuccino 2.81 $
Coke, 330ml 1.05 $

Compare Mexicali with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.14 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.12 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.39 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.57 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.29 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.57 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.08 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.78 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.12 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.53 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.42 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.64 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.15 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.5 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.88 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.4 $
Cigarette pack 3.67 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 0.8 $
Monthly Pass 32.8 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.2 $
Taxi, 8 km 23 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 35 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 4.16 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 3.43 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.65 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.44 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 39 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 60 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 28.8 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 341 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 639 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 552 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,134 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,48 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,353 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 799 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 11.55%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 37.4 $
Cinema, 1 seat 3.83 $
Haircut 6.43 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 71.8 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 25.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 188 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 2,649 $

Compare Mexicali with other top cities

Curacao
Mexicali vs Willemstad (Willemstad is 46% more expensive) Mexicali vs Barber (Barber is 46% more expensive)
Uruguay
Mexicali vs Montevideo (Montevideo is 39% more expensive) Mexicali vs Salto (Salto is 3% more expensive) Mexicali vs Ciudad de la Costa (Ciudad de la Costa is 23% more expensive) Mexicali vs Rivera (Rivera is 21% less expensive) Mexicali vs Maldonado (Maldonado is 1% more expensive) Mexicali vs Paysandu (Paysandu is 19% less expensive) Mexicali vs Tacuarembo (Tacuarembo is 13% less expensive) Mexicali vs Melo (Melo is 24% less expensive) Mexicali vs Mercedes (Mercedes is 7% more expensive) Mexicali vs Artigas (Artigas is 8% less expensive)
Trinidad And Tobago
Mexicali vs Chaguanas (Chaguanas is 12% more expensive) Mexicali vs Port of Spain (Port of Spain is 22% more expensive) Mexicali vs San Fernando (San Fernando is 1% more expensive) Mexicali vs Scarborough (Scarborough is 15% more expensive) Mexicali vs San Juan (San Juan is 22% more expensive)
Chile
Mexicali vs Santiago (Santiago is 26% more expensive) Mexicali vs Puente Alto (Puente Alto is 0% more expensive) Mexicali vs Antofagasta (Antofagasta is 10% more expensive) Mexicali vs Vina del Mar (Vina del Mar is 2% less expensive) Mexicali vs San Bernardo (San Bernardo is 11% less expensive) Mexicali vs Valparaiso (Valparaiso is 0% more expensive) Mexicali vs Temuco (Temuco is 8% less expensive) Mexicali vs Rancagua (Rancagua is 12% less expensive) Mexicali vs Concepcion (Concepcion is 3% less expensive) Mexicali vs Talca (Talca is 11% less expensive)
Guyana
Mexicali vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 3% more expensive) Mexicali vs Linden (Linden is 6% more expensive) Mexicali vs New Amsterdam (New Amsterdam is 6% more expensive)
Mexico
Mexicali vs Mexico City (Mexico City is 25% more expensive) Mexicali vs Tijuana (Tijuana is 10% more expensive) Mexicali vs Ecatepec de Morelos (Ecatepec de Morelos is 23% less expensive) Mexicali vs Leon (Leon is 25% less expensive) Mexicali vs Zapopan (Zapopan is 6% more expensive) Mexicali vs Guadalajara (Guadalajara is 3% more expensive) Mexicali vs Puebla (Puebla is 2% less expensive) Mexicali vs Ciudad Juarez (Ciudad Juarez is 2% more expensive) Mexicali vs Monterrey (Monterrey is 32% more expensive) Mexicali vs Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl (Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl is 24% less expensive)
Suriname
Mexicali vs Paramaribo (Paramaribo is 9% less expensive) Mexicali vs Nieuw Nickerie (Nieuw Nickerie is 12% less expensive)
Ecuador
Mexicali vs Guayaquil (Guayaquil is 5% less expensive) Mexicali vs Quito (Quito is 6% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cuenca (Cuenca is 19% less expensive) Mexicali vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 38% less expensive) Mexicali vs Duran (Duran is 15% less expensive) Mexicali vs Machala (Machala is 38% less expensive) Mexicali vs Manta (Manta is 9% less expensive) Mexicali vs Portoviejo (Portoviejo is 20% less expensive) Mexicali vs Loja (Loja is 35% less expensive) Mexicali vs Quevedo (Quevedo is 32% less expensive)
Peru
Mexicali vs Lima (Lima is 3% more expensive) Mexicali vs Arequipa (Arequipa is 41% less expensive) Mexicali vs Trujillo (Trujillo is 27% less expensive) Mexicali vs Chiclayo (Chiclayo is 46% less expensive) Mexicali vs Callao (Callao is 18% less expensive) Mexicali vs Piura (Piura is 41% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cusco (Cusco is 33% less expensive) Mexicali vs Chimbote (Chimbote is 48% less expensive) Mexicali vs Huancayo (Huancayo is 38% less expensive) Mexicali vs Iquitos (Iquitos is 29% less expensive)
Venezuela
Mexicali vs Caracas (Caracas is 9% more expensive) Mexicali vs Maracaibo (Maracaibo is 26% less expensive) Mexicali vs Valencia (Valencia is 18% less expensive) Mexicali vs Maracay (Maracay is 24% less expensive) Mexicali vs Barquisimeto (Barquisimeto is 25% less expensive) Mexicali vs Barinas (Barinas is 16% less expensive) Mexicali vs Ciudad Guayana (Ciudad Guayana is 7% less expensive) Mexicali vs Catia La Mar (Catia La Mar is 1% less expensive) Mexicali vs Ciudad Bolivar (Ciudad Bolivar is 9% less expensive) Mexicali vs Santa Teresa del Tuy (Santa Teresa del Tuy is 5% less expensive)
Colombia
Mexicali vs Bogota (Bogota is 9% less expensive) Mexicali vs Medellin (Medellin is 9% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cali (Cali is 23% less expensive) Mexicali vs Barranquilla (Barranquilla is 17% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cartagena (Cartagena is 22% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cucuta (Cucuta is 42% less expensive) Mexicali vs Soacha (Soacha is 22% less expensive) Mexicali vs Soledad (Soledad is 12% less expensive) Mexicali vs Villavicencio (Villavicencio is 50% less expensive) Mexicali vs Bucaramanga (Bucaramanga is 33% less expensive)
Brazil
Mexicali vs Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo is 6% more expensive) Mexicali vs Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro has similar costs) Mexicali vs Brasilia (Brasilia is 16% less expensive) Mexicali vs Fortaleza (Fortaleza is 25% less expensive) Mexicali vs Salvador (Salvador is 22% less expensive) Mexicali vs Belo Horizonte (Belo Horizonte is 18% less expensive) Mexicali vs Manaus (Manaus is 16% less expensive) Mexicali vs Curitiba (Curitiba is 20% less expensive) Mexicali vs Recife (Recife is 19% less expensive) Mexicali vs Goiania (Goiania is 31% less expensive)
Argentina
Mexicali vs Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires is 5% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cordoba (Cordoba is 3% less expensive) Mexicali vs Rosario (Rosario is 34% less expensive) Mexicali vs San Miguel de Tucuman (San Miguel de Tucuman is 27% less expensive) Mexicali vs Mar del Plata (Mar del Plata is 22% less expensive) Mexicali vs Salta (Salta is 24% less expensive) Mexicali vs San Juan (San Juan is 31% less expensive) Mexicali vs Lanus (Lanus is 15% less expensive) Mexicali vs Santiago del Estero (Santiago del Estero is 59% less expensive) Mexicali vs Santa Fe (Santa Fe is 26% less expensive)
Bolivia
Mexicali vs Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Santa Cruz de la Sierra is 20% less expensive) Mexicali vs La Paz (La Paz is 30% less expensive) Mexicali vs El Alto (El Alto is 33% less expensive) Mexicali vs Cochabamba (Cochabamba is 44% less expensive) Mexicali vs Sucre (Sucre is 31% less expensive) Mexicali vs Oruro (Oruro is 37% less expensive) Mexicali vs Potosi (Potosi is 48% less expensive) Mexicali vs Tarija (Tarija is 34% less expensive) Mexicali vs Sacaba (Sacaba is 44% less expensive) Mexicali vs Trinidad (Trinidad is 19% less expensive)
Paraguay
Mexicali vs Asuncion (Asuncion is 30% less expensive) Mexicali vs Ciudad del Este (Ciudad del Este is 44% less expensive) Mexicali vs Luque (Luque is 37% less expensive) Mexicali vs San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo is 35% less expensive) Mexicali vs Pedro Juan Caballero (Pedro Juan Caballero is 45% less expensive) Mexicali vs Caaguazu (Caaguazu is 57% less expensive) Mexicali vs Encarnacion (Encarnacion is 46% less expensive) Mexicali vs Coronel Oviedo (Coronel Oviedo is 44% less expensive) Mexicali vs Concepcion (Concepcion is 43% less expensive)