Cost Of Living For a Student in Mexico City 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: MXN
Average monthly spending for students in Mexico City
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Mexico City?
Students in Mexico City spend around 61,000 MXN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 9,400 MXN or as high as 680,000 MXN. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
How do students spend their money in Mexico City?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
| LOW | $130 2,300 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $870 15,000 MXN |
| HIGH | $9,700 160,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
Students in Mexico City typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 15,000 MXN with expenditure ranging from 2,300 MXN to 160,000 MXN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $16 270 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $100 1,800 MXN |
| HIGH | $1,200 20,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Mexico City ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,800 MXN with 270 MXN and 20,000 MXN being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $34 580 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $220 3,800 MXN |
| HIGH | $2,500 42,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 580 MXN to 42,000 MXN in a month on commuting with 3,800 MXN being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $91 1,500 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $600 10,000 MXN |
| HIGH | $6,600 110,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Mexico City is 10,000 MXN. The cost of groceries can range between 1,500 MXN to 110,000 MXN. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $20 330 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $130 2,200 MXN |
| HIGH | $1,400 24,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
Students in Mexico City allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 330 MXN to 24,000 MXN with 2,200 MXN being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $23 390 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $150 2,500 MXN |
| HIGH | $1,700 28,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 390 MXN to 28,000 MXN with 2,500 MXN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $87 1,500 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $570 9,600 MXN |
| HIGH | $6,300 110,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 9,600 MXN per month with 1,500 MXN being the minimum spent amount and 110,000 MXN being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $78 1,300 MXN |
| AVERAGE | $510 8,600 MXN |
| HIGH | $5,700 96,000 MXN |
| Per Month |
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mexico City
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 580 MXN | 870 MXN | 3,500 MXN |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 440 MXN | 590 MXN | 1,200 MXN |
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 190,000 MXN | 390,000 MXN | 520,000 MXN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 540 MXN | 820 MXN | 1,600 MXN |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 270 MXN | 1,800 MXN | 20,000 MXN |
Internet and cable
| 500 MXN | 990 MXN | 1,300 MXN |
Mobile phone charges
| 230 MXN | 380 MXN | 1,100 MXN |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 740 MXN | 930 MXN | 1,900 MXN |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 580 MXN | 830 MXN | 1,200 MXN |
Woman dress
| 590 MXN | 820 MXN | 2,700 MXN |
Woman shoes
| 460 MXN | 620 MXN | 1,500 MXN |
Men's shoes
| 420 MXN | 520 MXN | 1,000 MXN |
Men suit
| 500 MXN | 620 MXN | 3,300 MXN |
Regular t-shirt
| 270 MXN | 350 MXN | 1,100 MXN |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 11,000 MXN | 16,000 MXN | 43,000 MXN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 17,000 MXN | 28,000 MXN | 69,000 MXN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 25,000 MXN | 37,000 MXN | 98,000 MXN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.5M MXN | 3.7M MXN | 7.4M MXN |
| $140,000 | $220,000 | $430,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 3.1M MXN | 5.2M MXN | 20M MXN |
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 8,500 MXN | 11,000 MXN | 14,000 MXN |
Double Bed
| 6,000 MXN | 9,100 MXN | 11,000 MXN |
Single Bed
| 5,700 MXN | 7,400 MXN | 9,700 MXN |
Living Room
| 11,000 MXN | 15,000 MXN | 52,000 MXN |
Dining Table
| 4,200 MXN | 5,700 MXN | 11,000 MXN |
Sofa or Couch
| 6,000 MXN | 8,200 MXN | 18,000 MXN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 6,100 MXN | 9,200 MXN | 18,000 MXN |
Fridge or Freezer
| 5,800 MXN | 8,900 MXN | 12,000 MXN |
Washing Machine
| 6,200 MXN | 9,000 MXN | 16,000 MXN |
Stove or Cooker
| 6,100 MXN | 7,800 MXN | 11,000 MXN |
Mobile Phone
| 7,700 MXN | 9,200 MXN | 13,000 MXN |
Laptop or Computer
| 8,900 MXN | 11,000 MXN | 20,000 MXN |
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes69%
No31%
Based on the survey, 31% of the students living in Mexico City said that they don't have an emergency fund while 69% said that they do.
Affordable living in Mexico City
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Mexico City?
Around 70% of surveyed students think that living in Mexico City is affordable with proper budgeting while 30% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Mexico City
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options60%
Few low-cost options40%
Based on the survey, 60% of the students living in Mexico City have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy65%
We asked student guardians and parents in Mexico City whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 35% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 65% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 28% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 72% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance28%
Easily manages finances72%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Mexico City
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Mexico City
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 11,000 MXN | 16,000 MXN | 43,000 MXN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 17,000 MXN | 28,000 MXN | 69,000 MXN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 25,000 MXN | 37,000 MXN | 98,000 MXN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 31,000 MXN | 52,000 MXN | 140,000 MXN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 55,000 MXN | 140,000 MXN | 280,000 MXN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 44,000 MXN | 65,000 MXN | 190,000 MXN |
House monthly rent cost
| 56,000 MXN | 140,000 MXN | 280,000 MXN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 65,000 MXN | 160,000 MXN | 260,000 MXN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Mexico City ranges between 11,000 MXN and 43,000 MXN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 17,000 MXN to 69,000 MXN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 25,000 MXN and 98,000 MXN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 31,000 MXN to 140,000 MXN. The average rent of a townhouse in Mexico City is around 65,000 MXN while house rental costs can be as high as 140,000 MXN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 65,000 MXN to 260,000 MXN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Mexico City
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.5M MXN | 3.7M MXN | 7.4M MXN |
| $140,000 | $220,000 | $430,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 3.1M MXN | 5.2M MXN | 20M MXN |
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
House price
| 26M MXN | 160M MXN | 230M MXN |
Villa price
| 31M MXN | 170M MXN | 260M MXN |
The average price of a studio apartment in Mexico City can range from 2.5M MXN to 7.4M MXN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 3.1M MXN to 20M MXN. A villa can cost you 170M MXN on average with prices ranging from 31M MXN to 260M MXN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Mexico City will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 100 | x292 monthly income | 501 |
Property prices in Mexico City can be x292 to x501 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x292 multiples of the average monthly salary in Mexico City.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Mexico City is around 55%. This means that people pay 55% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 39% to 72% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
31% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 190 MXN | 1,900 MXN | 29,000 MXN |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Mexico City
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Mexico City
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Mexico City is approximatly 170 MXN with meal cost ranging from 87 MXN to 290 MXN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 330 MXN and 980 MXN with 490 MXN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Mexico City.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 580 MXN | 870 MXN | 3,500 MXN |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 580 MXN to 3,500 MXN with the average cost being 870 MXN for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Mexico City.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Mexico City is around 130 MXN. Price ranges between 78 MXN and 190 MXN depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Mexico City is 78 MXN. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 98 MXN and the minimum being 65 MXN depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 57 MXN on average with 43 MXN and 86 MXN being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Mexico City is between 110 MXN and 210 MXN depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 150 MXN.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 220 MXN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Mexico City costs around 61 MXN on average with prices rangeing between 44 MXN and 86 MXN depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 18 MXN to 44 MXN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 43 MXN on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,500 MXN to 110,000 MXN with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Mexico City
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Mexico City
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 270 MXN | 1,800 MXN | 20,000 MXN |
Internet and cable cost
| 500 MXN | 990 MXN | 1,300 MXN |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 230 MXN | 380 MXN | 1,100 MXN |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 1,800 MXN. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 500 MXN to 1,300 MXN with 990 MXN being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 380 MXN but can range between 230 MXN and 1,100 MXN depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Mexico City is around 7.8%. This means that people pay 7.8% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.1% to 14% depending on salary and location.
Published: March 10, 2024 Last Update: April 6, 2025
