💰 Real Costs of Living in Mexico as a Digital Nomad
Before you start your nomadic journey, it is crucial to figure out how to make your financial situation work while living as a digital nomad in Mexico.
Having an understanding of the costs of living in Mexico will help reduce the risk of running out of funds abruptly and having to end your journey sooner than planned.
That's why in this article, we've highlighted 5 monthly expenses that you'll likely experience in our favorite cities in Mexico. Let's jump in.
- ⛺️ Accommodation
- 🍕 Food
- 🖥 Co-working
- 📞 Data plans
- ⛑️ Travel insurance
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💸 Summary of Real Costs in Mexico
We've compiled a summary table of expenses during the high season to help you get an idea of monthly expenses in our top digital nomad destinations.
We decided to focus on the high season, even though prices tend to be lower during the low season, because it's better to overestimate than underestimate!
Destination Accom Food Coworking Mobile Insurance* Total Mexico City $1,000 $400 $189 $28 $45 $1,662 Playa del Carmen $1,200 $400 $194 $28 $45 $1,867 Puerto Vallarta $1,281 $400 $171 $28 $45 $1,925 Oaxaca City $1,337 $400 $137 $28 $45 $1,947 Tulum $1,356 $400 $294 $28 $45 $2,123 Guadalajara $1,308 $400 $165 $28 $45 $1,946
*Safetywing 18 - 39 years old
Break Down of Real Costs in Mexico
Below we'll go into more detail on each of our 5 main monthly expenses. We also provide an article for each if you want to further explore how we did these estimates. Let's dive in.
- ⛺️ Accommodation
- 🍕 Food
- 🖥 Co-working
- 📞 Data plans
- ⛑️ Travel insurance
#1 ⛺️ Accommodation Costs - $1,500
We think having a nice and comfortable place to stay is super important. Luckily there are plenty of options in Mexico to choose from.
Private rooms are worth considering if you're on a tight budget or simply don't want to splurge on accommodation. On average, a complete apartment costs around $1,500 per month, whereas a private room comes in at about $1,000 per month.
Our recommended options for long-stay accommodation in Mexico
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#2 🍕 Food Costs - $400
Regarding food, Mexico is one of the best places to explore on a budget. Groceries are affordable, especially if you're willing to cook your meals. It's best to stick with local brands and products, which are significantly cheaper than imported ones. On average, expect to spend around $400 on monthly groceries (excluding alcohol and other "nice to haves")
But it's not just groceries that are cheap. Eating out is also very affordable. You can easily find meals for as little as $1 per plate, which is incredible if you're on a tight budget.
#3 🖥 Co-working Space - $187
Being a digital nomad means always hunting for the perfect workspace. And while working on a beach or in a café sounds amazing, it's not always the most productive.
But hey, no worries! There are more and more coworking spaces popping up that offer the best work environments without being boring.
Plus, they're super cost-effective, with special plans available. We've put together a list of our favourite coworking spaces below to help you find the perfect spot for your workday. Hot desks range from $128 to $294 per month, depending on your chosen location and space.
Our recommended Co-working spots in Mexico
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#4 📞 Mobile plans - $28
As a digital nomad, having internet access is super important. The good news is that getting a local SIM card in Mexico is relatively easy. There are different plans to choose from with various data packages and speeds.
Keep in mind that in smaller towns and rural areas, the internet infrastructure might not be as developed, so you may sometimes experience slower speeds or less reliable connections.
Step-by-step guide for setting up a Local sim in Mexico
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#5 ⛑️ Travel Insurance - $45
You never know what could happen while you're on the move. That's why travel insurance is an absolute must-have.
Travel insurance policies for digital nomads cover issues such as delayed flights, trip cancellations, and lost luggage. The cost of these policies may fluctuate based on your travel destination and duration. We suggest opting for Safety Wings, which costs about $45 per month (18-39-year-olds) and offers coverage up to $250,000.
Our Recommended Digital Nomad Insurance Options
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⚡️ Conclusion
Living and working remotely in Mexico is a great adventure. Just make sure you consider all the costs of living abroad and plug these into your budget, so you can determine if it's a realistic destination to base yourself as a digital nomad.
We hope that by providing some examples of monthly expenses for 5 mains costs (accommodation, food, coworking, data plans and insurance), we've given you a better idea of what to expect. Now, it's time to start creating your financial plan so you can kickstart your digital nomad journey in Mexico!
Good luck, and feel free to hit us up on Instagram if you have any questions - @remotevagabond
*** This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor before making any decisions regarding your finances or lifestyle. ***