Cancun, Mexico

Cost of Living in Cancun, Mexico

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Cancun costs approximately $1,293 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $696. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Cancun is a city in Mexico, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,293 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $696 per month, or $460 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 69 Mbps median download speed, and Mexico offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Cancun scores 42/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 81°F, with roughly 360 sunny days a year.

Top for Party BeachTop for CasinoDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$1,293≈ $43/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$696
Internet69 Mbps
Safety42/100
Avg Temp86°F

Cancun Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$11.65
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$58.24
McDonald's Combo Meal$11.65
Cappuccino$3.94
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$3.01
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.78

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.66
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.85
Eggs (12)$2.49
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.04
Apples (1 lb)$1.39
Bananas (1 lb)$0.67
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.94
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.94
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.22
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10.48
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4.60

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.70
Monthly Transit Pass$29.12
Taxi Start$4.66
Taxi (1 Mile)$4.95
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.48
VW Golf (New)$22,538.73

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$188.31
Mobile Phone Plan$23.30
Broadband Internet$42.71

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$36.89
Cinema Ticket$8.74
Preschool (Monthly)$219.86
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$5,765.87

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$58.24
Nike Running Shoes$69.89

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$695.57
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$459.72
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,465.74
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,136.53
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$207.83
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$217.03

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$870.24
Mortgage Interest Rate11.6%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,952.90
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$833.70

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Cancun

Internet69 Mbps
Safety42/100
Healthcare66/100
Public Transit35/100
Walkability35/100
Nightlife72/100
Food Scene78/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture45/100
Air Quality76/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture42/100
Beaches95/100
Hiking25/100
Surfing15/100
Coworking Spaces25
US Visa-Free180 days

Cancun FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Cancun?

A single person should budget around $1,293 per month in Cancun, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,953 per month.

How much is rent in Cancun?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Cancun averages $696 per month, dropping to about $460 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,466.

Is Cancun safe?

Cancun scores 42/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 48/100.

How fast is the internet in Cancun?

Median download speeds in Cancun are around 69 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 25 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Mexico offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Mexico offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 180 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Cancun?

Cancun sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 81°F, with about 360 sunny days and 171 rainy days per year.

Cancun in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Mexico

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Mexico and how to apply.