Oaxaca Cost of Living 2026
Mexico · Mid-size city — far cheaper than the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Oaxaca price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$93$5 | MX$65 – MX$149 | MX$179+ |
| Street food1 item | MX$42$2.26 | MX$25 – MX$76 | MX$91+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$300$16.1 | MX$210 – MX$480 | MX$576+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | MX$41$2.2 | MX$25 – MX$74 | MX$89+ |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$46$2.47 | MX$28 – MX$74 | MX$88+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | MX$46$2.47 | MX$28 – MX$83 | MX$99+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$28$1.51 | MX$17 – MX$53 | MX$64+ |
| Bottled water | MX$11$0.59 | MX$8 – MX$22 | MX$26+ |
| Beerone bottle | MX$46$2.47 | MX$28 – MX$78 | MX$94+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$120$6.45 | MX$72 – MX$204 | MX$245+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$93$5 | MX$74 – MX$149 | MX$179+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$74$3.98 | MX$52 – MX$133 | MX$160+ |
| Transitone ride | MX$10$0.51 | MX$9 – MX$12 | MX$15+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$470$25.3 | MX$329 – MX$752 | MX$902+ |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$1,300$69.9 | MX$780 – MX$2,080 | MX$2,496+ |
| Laundry | MX$37$1.99 | MX$26 – MX$59 | MX$71+ |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$190$10.2 | MX$133 – MX$323 | MX$388+ |
| Haircutcut | MX$200$10.8 | MX$120 – MX$360 | MX$432+ |
| Massage1 hour | MX$560$30.1 | MX$392 – MX$896 | MX$1,075+ |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$740$39.8 | MX$518 – MX$1,184 | MX$1,421+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$190$10.2 | MX$152 – MX$266 | MX$319+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate MX$19 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Oaxaca
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Oaxaca for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $1,133) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $765) comes to roughly $1,898 a month. A local long-term lease (studio MX$9,300) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Oaxaca?
A mid-range room (about $72 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $122 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Oaxaca is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect MX$74 – MX$149. Anything above MX$179 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Oaxaca?
Coffee about MX$46 ($2.47), a local meal about MX$93 ($5), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about MX$300.