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Cancún vs Oaxaca cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇲🇽 Cancún
🇲🇽 OaxacaOaxaca is 50% cheaper than Cancún
Living on $3,708 a month in Cancún feels like about $1,898 in Oaxaca — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$247 vs $122
Per month
$3,708 vs $1,898
Local meal
MX$ 200 vs MX$ 93
$10.8 vs $5
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 130 vs MX$ 93
$6.99 vs $5
At a glance
FoodOaxaca 52% cheaper
Cafés & drinksOaxaca 41% cheaper
TransportOaxaca 26% cheaper
StayOaxaca 48% cheaper
FunOaxaca 12% cheaper
- Where Oaxaca is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (54%↓), Local meal (53%↓), Street food (53%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Cancún | Oaxaca | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 200$10.8 | MX$ 93$5 | Oaxaca −53% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 90$4.84 | MX$ 42$2.26 | Oaxaca −53% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 600$32.3 | MX$ 300$16.1 | Oaxaca −50% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 75$4.03 | MX$ 46$2.47 | Oaxaca −39% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 80$4.3 | MX$ 46$2.47 | Oaxaca −42% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 210$11.3 | MX$ 120$6.45 | Oaxaca −43% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 18$0.97 | MX$ 11$0.59 | Oaxaca −39% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 45$2.42 | MX$ 28$1.51 | Oaxaca −38% |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 130$6.99 | MX$ 93$5 | Oaxaca −28% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 86$4.62 | MX$ 74$3.98 | Oaxaca −14% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 15$0.81 | MX$ 10$0.51 | Oaxaca −37% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 530$28.5 | MX$ 470$25.3 | Oaxaca −11% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 2,800$151 | MX$ 1,300$69.9 | Oaxaca −54% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 16,000$860 | MX$ 9,300$500 | Oaxaca −42% |
| Laundry | MX$ 43$2.31 | MX$ 37$1.99 | Oaxaca −14% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 210$11.3 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Oaxaca −10% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 220$11.8 | MX$ 200$10.8 | Oaxaca −9% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 640$34.4 | MX$ 560$30.1 | Oaxaca −12% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 860$46.2 | MX$ 740$39.8 | Oaxaca −14% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 210$11.3 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Oaxaca −10% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cancún or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca is 50% cheaper than Cancún. Daily budget $247 vs $122; a month $3,708 vs $1,898.
How do monthly costs compare between Cancún and Oaxaca?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Cancún is about $3,708 and Oaxaca about $1,898 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.