Retire At Lakeside
See our Lakeside Links & Resources
We are retired in Mexico Living at Lake Chapala and working to save animals at Lakeside which helps Real Estate at Lake Chapala If you find value here, please donate.
COST
OF LIVING
(with thanks to Coldwell
Banker Website)
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 - $2.44 a gallon. Regular $2.06
Wash auto - From $1.50 to $5.00
Lubricate auto, change oil and filter - $16
Car Insurance - $35 per month 5 year old car
Medical
and Dental
Clean teeth - $15.00
Tooth filled - $20.00 Porcelain.
Doctor visit $15.00
Doctor's office visit including EKG - $30.00
Health insurance 23/month per person (IMSS)
Housing
Furnished 2 bedroom house $450 - $1500
Furnished one bedroom apartment with living room, kitchen and bath -
$250 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 harcut - $6.00
Pedicure - $6.00
Manicure - $6.00
Massage $15 / hr.
Ladies haircut and permanent - $20.00
Mens haircut - $4.00
Utilities
Electricity - $100 for two months.
Propane gas for cooking - $15.00 per month
Telephone basic service - $20.00
Water for drinking - $7 per month
No heating or air conditioning required
Internet - $20+ USD per month
Entertainment
Cost for ticket to movie theater (first run film) $3.00
Maid
Basic thorough house cleaning one day $2.50 / hr.
Gardener $2.50 - $3.00 / hr. (included in many rentals)
Laundry
and Dry Cleaning
Clothes for two people at commercial laundry (washed, dried and folded)
$9.00 per basket
Dry clean trousers or skirt - $4.00
Food
You will find some foods higher in price than the US and it will be
offset by fruit and vegetables that are unbelievable inexpensive. We
noticed that we roughly spent the same here as we did back home.
Bottled
Drinks
Six pack of beer Corona From $3.15 to $3.70
Coca-Cola (1 1/2 lt plastic bottle) - $1.20
Milk (2 lt) - $1.25
Assorted soft drinks (355 ml aluminum can) - $0.50
