City in Nuevo León, Mexico

Cost of living in Monterrey

Updated October 2026Sources

How much a month costs in Monterrey

For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,540–2,470 (MX$28,000–45,000).

Lean$714–1,040MX$13,000–19,000 · Room or studio, local food

Comfortable$1,540–2,470MX$28,000–45,000 · 1-bed apartment, eating out daily

Luxury$3,290–6,040MX$60,000–110,000 · Upscale apartment, restaurants, taxis

Prices in Monterrey

Typical 2026 ranges in MXN, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.

Item	MXN	US$
Housing
1-bedroom apartment, center (month)	MX$14,000–28,000	$769–1,540
1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month)	MX$9,000–16,000	$494–878
Hostel dorm bed (night)	MX$250–450	$14–25
Mid-range hotel room (night)	MX$1,200–2,800	$66–154
Food and drink
Local meal or street food	MX$80–140	$4.4–7.7
Mid-range restaurant, per person	MX$300–600	$16–33
Cappuccino	MX$50–90	$2.7–4.9
Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar	MX$50–100	$2.7–5.5
Getting around
Public transport, one ride	MX$10–20	$0.5–1.1
Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km	MX$70–130	$3.8–7.1
Work and life
Gym membership (month)	MX$600–1,500	$33–82
Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month)	MX$250–400	$14–22

Value for money: 43/100

A value score of 43/100 means Monterrey gives more quality of life per dollar than 42% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 65/100. It's the 25th most affordable of 38 places we cover in Mexico.

Quality factor	Score
Safety	75
Air quality	60
Internet	63
Healthcare	59
Weather	58
Friendly locals	75
English	50

Cost of living across Mexico

One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.

Place	Comfortable month	Value
San Cristóbal de las Casas	$988–1,540	70/100
Guanajuato	$988–1,540	83/100
Mazunte	$988–1,540	80/100
Valladolid	$1,100–1,650	72/100
Puebla	$1,100–1,760	71/100
Acapulco	$1,100–1,760	42/100
Mazatlán	$1,320–2,090	52/100
Querétaro	$1,320–2,090	64/100
Ajijic	$1,320–2,090	66/100
Bacalar	$1,370–2,200	58/100
La Paz	$1,430–2,200	55/100
Tijuana	$1,430–2,200	51/100
Oaxaca	$1,430–2,310	41/100
Puerto Escondido	$1,430–2,310	36/100
Guadalajara	$1,480–2,310	37/100
Mérida	$1,480–2,310	52/100
Monterrey	$1,540–2,470	43/100
Cozumel	$1,650–2,640	44/100
Isla Mujeres	$1,650–2,640	43/100
Puerto Morelos	$1,650–2,640	42/100
Todos Santos	$1,650–2,640	43/100
Holbox	$1,760–2,750	40/100
San Miguel de Allende	$1,760–2,850	43/100
Sayulita	$1,870–3,020	26/100
Mexico City	$1,920–3,020	24/100
Cancún	$1,920–3,020	23/100
Puerto Vallarta	$1,920–3,020	20/100
Playa del Carmen	$2,090–3,290	20/100
Tulum	$2,310–3,840	11/100
Cabo San Lucas	$2,470–4,120	12/100

Cheaper alternatives to Monterrey

Similar safety, lower cost, in Mexico & Central America.

Place	Country	Comfortable month
Ometepe	Nicaragua	$679–1,140
León	Nicaragua	$679–1,140
Guanajuato	Mexico	$988–1,540
Granada	Nicaragua	$815–1,360
Utila	Honduras	$894–1,420

Quick answers

How much money do you need per month in Monterrey?

About $714–1,040 on a lean budget, $1,540–2,470 for a comfortable month and $3,290–6,040 for a luxury one, rent included.

How much is rent in Monterrey?

A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs MX$14,000–28,000 ($769–1,540) a month in the center and MX$9,000–16,000 ($494–878) outside it.

How much does food cost in Monterrey?

A local meal is MX$80–140 ($4.4–7.7); a mid-range restaurant is MX$300–600 ($16–33) per person.

Is Mexico expensive?

Prices in Mexico are about 54% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).

More about Monterrey

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Sources

Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.