How Much Does It Cost to Live In Guadalajara?
Guadalajara is a modern city, with a quality of life that is definitely comparable with any city in Spain or Italy, and the prices, in general, are very low.
Guadalajara is cheaper to live in than other big cities in Mexico, like, for example México City. However, in those cities, their salaries are also higher.
All in all, it really depends on the lifestyle you want to live and your entire situation.
Guadalajara is a big city with very nice and expensive zones, and some that are the complete opposite(as in any other big city).
Mexico : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Mexico
RESTAURANTS
Eating out is relatively cheap in Cancun! You can eat street food for less than a dollar, and you can also have a meal in a decent restaurant for around 5$. There’s always the option of street food for a couple of dollars or a large pizza, home delivered, which will cost you about 6$. A dinner at a mid-range restaurant for two can cost anywhere from 22.50$ and up.
MARKETS
When it comes to buying food at supermarkets, it is definitely cheaper than eating out regularly. You can always get a membership card at Walmart, which costs around 25$ each year. The plus side also is that you know exactly what you’re eating. All basic ingredients cost less than 2$, and you can find fresh fruit and veggies on open markets.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in Guadalajara is very cheap, though it’s not exactly brilliantly organized. Monthly pass for public transport amounts to around 17$ and a one-way ticket costs less than a dollar, and if you want to drive a car, it will definitely cost you more – around 130$ per month. If you prefer walking and taking the bus (or other forms of public transport), your transportation costs will be as little as 25$ or 30$ per month
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are generally cheap in Guadalajara! Of course, depending on the size of your apartment and the amount of electricity you spend, your bills could be higher or lower, but all in all – for an apartment of around 85m2, all basic utilities including electricity, gas, water, heating, cooling and garbage services, will cost you around 30$. The internet service is fast and costs around 25$.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Fitness and practicing sports is expensive everywhere and this applies to every city and country, and not surprisingly – it applies to Guadalajara, too. For example, a membership in a gym or a fitness club will cost you around 25$ which is actually cheaper than in most Mexican cities. Cinema tickets are much cheaper, however, costing only about 4$ each.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Shopping for clothes in Guadalajara is not a bad idea – it’s filled with shopping malls and the prices aren’t too high – they’re actually lower than in most Mexican cities. You can find quality jeans like Levi’s for only 40$, while a pair of quality running shoes of brands like Nike cost around 70$.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent isn’t really cheap in Guadalajara, but it all depends on where you want to live and how big you want your apartment to be. You can also choose between a furnished and unfurnished ones. If you’ve got your mind set on the city center, the average price will be around 260$. An apartment outside of the city center will be closer to 200$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Guadalajara
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.24 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.28 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.53 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.88 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.41 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.33 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.37 |
| Monthly Pass | $15.71 |
| Gasoline | $1.01 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $30.13 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.05 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $26.32 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $25.99 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $9.96 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $3.93 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $40.22 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $31.41 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $75.64 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $267.19 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $208.44 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $519.51 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Guadalajara?
Food is definitely how the average person in Guadalajara spends the biggest part of their salary.
An average person living in Guadalajara, and having to feed his/her family, spends the biggest amount of their money in supermarkets and open “mercados”.
The next thing that draws the biggest bulk of money from the people of Gudalajara is definitely rent.
The fact that rent is second to food only means that though it isn’t the highest expense in this city it is definitely among the most expensive tolls on people’s salaries.
Restaurants and transportation are also significant expenses for an average person living in this city.
Average Costs Breakdown
Guadalajara: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Minimum wage in Guadalajara is around 120$ which is extremely low and definitely not high enough to be able to cover all of your costs in Guadalajara.
While the average monthly net salary is around 500$ which allows for residents of Guadalajara to live without having to worry about their existence, there’s still a general feeling of dissatisfaction with the influx of money.
If you’re planning on going to Guadalajara for a period of time, you can bring around 1000$ for a month and that should definitely suffice.
Guadalajara Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Guadalajara Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Cost of Living by City in Guadalajara
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Cancun | 31.35 |
| Merida | 29.39 |
| Mexico City | 37.3 |
| Monterrey | 34.12 |
| Puebla | 28.89 |
| Puerto Vallarta | 29.82 |
| Queretaro | 31.01 |
| Tijuana | 37.3 |
Cancun is a nightmare to live in, and if you are an American like me, you will regret it to the point of becoming suicidal. UGLY city, unfriendly people, and graffiti EVERYWHERE!