Other than excellent
climate, the reason many North Americans have for moving to Mexico is
the cost of living. Most prices are lower compared to those "back home".
It is hard to understand why so many people on small pensions or Social
Security will struggle with miserable climates, high utility and medical
bills, and other services, when they could live better in Mexico. Here
are some random samples of prices:
All prices in US dollars.
Automotive
Premium gasoline - $3.34 a gallon. Regular $2.7
Wash auto - From $3.00 to $5.00
Lubricate auto, change oil and filter - $25
Car Insurance - 45 per month 5 year old car
Medical and Dental
Clean teeth - $20.00
Tooth filled - $30.00 Porcelain.
Doctor's office visit including EKG - $45.00
Health insurance 25/month per person
Housing
Furnished one bedroom apartment with living room, kitchen and bath - $350
to $600.
Beautiful, furnished apartment (two bedrooms) in a nice neighborhood from
$550 per month.
Unfurnished garden style condominium with pool (two bedrooms, two baths)
in Guadalajara neighborhood from $600 per month.
Land tax 15/month
Personal Care
Ladies haircut and permanent - $30.00
Mens haircut - $4.5
Utilities
Electricity - $30.00 for two months.
Propane gas for cooking - $28.00 per month
Telephone basic service - $21.00
Water for drinking - $6 per month
No heating or air conditioning required
Internet - 19 USD per month
Entertainment
Cost for ticket to movie theater (first run film) $3.5
Maid
Basic thorough house cleaning one day (4 - 5 hours) each week - $15.0
Laundry and Dry Cleaning
Clothes for two people at commercial laundry (washed, dried and folded)
$10.00 per week
Dry clean trousers or skirt - $3.00
Food
Prices for groceries can change depending on the area and the place where you shop and the time of year. Municipal markets are good places to buy local fresh products as well as the “tianguis” (Mondays in Chapala, Wednesdays in Ajijic and Thursdays in Jocotepec). Most of the natives buy their groceries there, most of the time the items are cheaper and a shopping day at the market can give you a good idea of a busy, cheerful and colorful day in Mexico.
If you prefer, there are well known local stores and 2 nation wide chain of supermarkets that sell excellent quality products at a higher, jet reasonable price.
There is an option for every taste.
The following are average prices per pound. The prices of the fruits may go lower or higher depending the time of year.
These are prices as of July 18, 2008.
Chicken, whole - $3.5
Bacon - $3.11
Hamburger - $2.53
Pork shops - $2.75
T bone steak - $4
Beef Fillet - $2.89
Tomatoes - $0.62
Cucumbers - $0.35
Potatoes - $0.44
Broccoli - $0.49
Strawberries - $0.80
Oranges - $0.26
Bananas - $0.40
Margarine bar - $ 0.21
Flour - $0.31
Eggs (doz.) - $1.76
Coffee - $3.50
Rice - $ 0.39
Sugar - $ 0.48
Beans - $ 0.89
Fish (red snapper) - $ 3.56
Box Corn Flakes - $ 2.5
Bottled Drinks
Beer six pack (325ml) (11 ounces) - From $ 4.04
Coca-Cola (2 liters) (0.53 gallons) plastic bottle - $ 1.47
Milk (2 lt) (0.53 gallons) - $ 1.86
Fruit Juice (1 lt tetra pack carton) (33.8 ounces) - $1.46
Assorted soft drinks (355 ml) (12 ounces) aluminum can - $0.49
Assorted light soft drinks (355 ml) (12 ounces) aluminum can - $0.63