Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Mexico City vs Puerto Vallarta
Mexico City vs Puerto Vallarta cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico City
๐ฒ๐ฝ Puerto VallartaMexico City is 8% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Living on $3,238 a month in Mexico City feels like about $3,248 in Puerto Vallarta โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$167 vs $193
Per month
$3,238 vs $3,248
Local meal
MX$ 150 vs MX$ 150
$8.06 vs $8.06
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 78 vs MX$ 130
$4.19 vs $6.99
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportMexico City 42% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunMexico City 21% cheaper
- Where Puerto Vallarta is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (17%โ)
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Transit (54%โ), Taxi (40%โ), Massage (23%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Mexico City | Puerto Vallarta | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 150$8.06 | MX$ 150$8.06 | similar |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 68$3.66 | MX$ 68$3.66 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 450$24.2 | MX$ 410$22 | Puerto Vallarta โ9% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 65$3.49 | MX$ 56$3.01 | Puerto Vallarta โ14% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 60$3.23 | MX$ 65$3.49 | Mexico City โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 160$8.6 | MX$ 170$9.14 | Mexico City โ6% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 15$0.81 | MX$ 18$0.97 | Mexico City โ17% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 38$2.04 | MX$ 45$2.42 | Mexico City โ16% |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 78$4.19 | MX$ 130$6.99 | Mexico City โ40% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 66$3.55 | MX$ 86$4.62 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 6$0.32 | MX$ 13$0.7 | Mexico City โ54% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 410$22 | MX$ 530$28.5 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | MX$ 2,200$118 | Mexico City โ18% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 18,000$968 | MX$ 15,000$806 | Puerto Vallarta โ17% |
| Laundry | MX$ 33$1.77 | MX$ 37$1.99 | Mexico City โ11% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 160$8.6 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Mexico City โ16% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 170$9.14 | MX$ 220$11.8 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 490$26.3 | MX$ 640$34.4 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 660$35.5 | MX$ 860$46.2 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 160$8.6 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Mexico City โ16% |
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, Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta?
Mexico City is 8% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta. Daily budget $167 vs $193; a month $3,238 vs $3,248.
How do monthly costs compare between Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Mexico City is about $3,238 and Puerto Vallarta about $3,248 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.