Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Oaxaca vs Puerto Vallarta
Oaxaca 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 Oaxaca
๐ฒ๐ฝ Puerto VallartaOaxaca is 65% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Living on $1,898 a month in Oaxaca feels like about $3,248 in Puerto Vallarta โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$122 vs $193
Per month
$1,898 vs $3,248
Local meal
MX$ 93 vs MX$ 150
$5 vs $8.06
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 93 vs MX$ 130
$5 vs $6.99
At a glance
FoodOaxaca 35% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinksOaxaca 26% cheaper
TransportOaxaca 24% cheaper
StayOaxaca 39% cheaper
FunOaxaca 9% cheaper
- Where Oaxaca is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (41%โ), Bottled water (39%โ), Street food (38%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Oaxaca | Puerto Vallarta | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 93$5 | MX$ 150$8.06 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 42$2.26 | MX$ 68$3.66 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 300$16.1 | MX$ 410$22 | Oaxaca โ27% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 46$2.47 | MX$ 56$3.01 | Oaxaca โ18% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 46$2.47 | MX$ 65$3.49 | Oaxaca โ29% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 120$6.45 | MX$ 170$9.14 | Oaxaca โ29% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 11$0.59 | MX$ 18$0.97 | Oaxaca โ39% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 28$1.51 | MX$ 45$2.42 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 93$5 | MX$ 130$6.99 | Oaxaca โ28% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 74$3.98 | MX$ 86$4.62 | Oaxaca โ14% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 10$0.51 | MX$ 13$0.7 | Oaxaca โ27% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 470$25.3 | MX$ 530$28.5 | Oaxaca โ11% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 1,300$69.9 | MX$ 2,200$118 | Oaxaca โ41% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 9,300$500 | MX$ 15,000$806 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Laundry | MX$ 37$1.99 | MX$ 37$1.99 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 190$10.2 | MX$ 190$10.2 | similar |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 200$10.8 | MX$ 220$11.8 | Oaxaca โ9% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 560$30.1 | MX$ 640$34.4 | Oaxaca โ12% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 740$39.8 | MX$ 860$46.2 | Oaxaca โ14% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 190$10.2 | MX$ 190$10.2 | similar |
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, Oaxaca or Puerto Vallarta?
Oaxaca is 65% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta. Daily budget $122 vs $193; a month $1,898 vs $3,248.
How do monthly costs compare between Oaxaca and Puerto Vallarta?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Oaxaca is about $1,898 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.