How Much Does It Cost to Live In Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is a city known for wonderful people, great beaches, some of the best sailing in the world, and low cost of living.
This city has got it all: good hospitals, schools, commercial areas and, most importantly, the beautiful nature that surrounds you wherever you turn.
Most Mexican people love to go to Puerto Vallarta on vacations: there are plenty of people from Guadalajara, for example, that love to spend their vacations there, but there’s also a growing US community that enjoys the unique Puerto Vallarta sunset.
Mexico : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Mexico
RESTAURANTS
Make no mistake, it is very easy to spend more than 50$ on a dinner in Puerto Vallarta. If you want to drink wine with your toes in the sand – that’s what it costs. But it is also very easy to spend less than 5$ on a dinner, too. Street tacos anyone? Plus, the street food is delicious and of good quality, so have no fear.
MARKETS
As for markets and cooking at home, you can shop for all those delicious groceries in WalMart, Costco and Home Depot. Groceries, in general are much cheaper than eating outside, plus you know exactly what you’re eating. All basic ingredients cost less than 2$, and you can find fresh fruit and veggies on open markets.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in Puerto Vallarta is very cheap. A one-way ticket costs less than a dollar, while a monthly ticket costs only about 15$ which is very, very cheap. If you want to drive a car, it will definitely cost you more and it won’t save you from the daily traffic jams. One liter of gasoline costs less than a dollar.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are cheap in Puerto Vallarta, but it does depend on the size of your apartment. Generally speaking, if you’re living in an apartment of about 85m2 your utilities including electricity, gas, water, heating and cooling will cost you around 30$. The internet service is fast and costs around 25$.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Indulging in sports definitely takes a considerable toll on your wallet, and this is true in Puerto Vallarta too, though it is definitely less expensive than in most countries. For example, a membership in a gym or a fitness club will cost you less than 30$. Cinema tickets are much cheaper, however, costing only about 3$ each.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Luckily, at least shopping for clothes and shoes isn’t too expensive: it isn’t cheap either, but at least it’s not through the roof. You can find quality jeans like Levi’s for only 40$, while a pair of quality running shoes of brands like Nike cost around 60$. Light pieces of clothing like summer dresses and shirts cost a little above 20$.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent is actually somewhat expensive in Puerto Vallarta, but it all depends on where you want to live and how big you want your apartment to be. Or whether you want it to be furnished or unfurnished. In general, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost you around 500$, while one outside of the city center will be closer to 300$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Puerto Vallarta
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $4.06 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.44 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.53 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.85 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.41 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.33 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.42 |
| Monthly Pass | $15.40 |
| Gasoline | $0.95 | 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) | $23.67 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $30.72 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $9.16 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $3.14 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $37.30 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $24.87 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $61.78 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $536.28 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $302.58 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1094.76 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Puerto Vallarta?
Food is definitely how the average person in Puerto Vallarta spends the biggest part of their salary.
The next thing that draws the biggest bulk of money from the people of Puerto Vallarta is definitely rent.
The fact that rent is second to food only means that though it isn’t the highest expense in this city it is definitely among the most expensive tolls on people’s salaries.
Restaurants are the third on the pie chart of expenses, followed by transportation which is an everyday necessity.
People of this city spend more money on sports and leisure than on utilities.
Average Costs Breakdown
Puerto Vallarta: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Minimum wage in Puerto Vallarta is very low and definitely not high enough to be able to cover all costs of living in this city.
While the average monthly net salary is around 470$ which allows for residents of Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta for a period of time, you can bring around 1000$ for a month and that should definitely suffice.
Puerto Vallarta Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Puerto Vallarta Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Puerto Vallarta
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Cancun | 31.35 |
| Guadalajara | 31.46 |
| Merida | 29.39 |
| Mexico City | 37.3 |
| Monterrey | 34.12 |
| Puebla | 28.89 |
| Queretaro | 31.01 |
| Tijuana | 37.3 |
